§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Undersecretary of State for Air if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a graduate of London University, recently employed at Heathrow, from whose salary moneys were deducted at source in respect of articles stolen from the laboratory under his charge, notwithstanding that other persons had access to the laboratory, and whose protest as to the legality of this deduction has been met by a statement from the Air Ministry Works Directorate that questions of legality do not arise in 47W respect of service under the Crown; and whether he will take steps to modify such treatment which must dissuade highly-qualified scientists from taking service under his Department.
§ Mr. de FreitasI am afraid that in this case there was delay in taking account of the explanation which the employee gave of the circumstances in which the tools for which he was responsible were lost. The case was referred by the local Works authorities to the Air Ministry and the sum which was withheld has been paid to him. I much regret the handling of this case and I am sure it is not typical.