Mr. GOLD STONEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to report the result of the inquiry held by Brigadier-General Burney and other officers respecting frauds upon Reservists called to the Colours in the county of Durham during the present year; and whether adequate steps have been taken to cause an investigation of the cash and bank accounts of the local recruiting officers by an independent firm of auditors for the period of two years commencing 1st August, 1914?
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§ Mr. FORSTERI should like to take this opportunity of making a statement at some length with regard to the frauds which have occurred in connection with recruiting. Firstly, in regard to Sunderland, the Court of Inquiry, of which General Burney, C.B., was president, were of opinion that men called up and medically rejected had undoubtedly been sent away without the pay to which they were entitled, in spite of the fact that the money due to them had been charged against the public in the pay lists. Suspicion fell upon an individual who was not a soldier, and therefore was not under military law. Legal advice was obtained, with the result that it finally proved impossible to secure conviction owing to insufficient evidence. Two individuals, whose actions seemed to be unsatisfactory, were discharged, and the office was subjected to a thorough reorganisation. Further, the cash books of the office at Sunderland were found to be in an unsatisfactory condition. This matter was at once reported to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. I should add that the Court of Inquiry decided that, so far as it could discover, there was no evidence of any complicity on the part of any officers in the misapplication of public money.
In spite of the devoted and splendid work which has been performed by the overwhelming majority of the recruiting staff I think it is desirable to add that unhappily Sunderland has proved to be no isolated case of fraud in connection with recruiting. The Headquarters Recruiting Staff are fully alive to the need for rigorous investigation. This was begun about five months ago, and is still proceeding throughout the country. As a result, several soldiers and civilian clerks employed in recruiting offices have been convicted of various offences. Other prosecutions are pending, and further cases are now under investigation. Cases of forgery in connection with recruiting and medical classification have been proved. One forger has been sentenced to a year's imprisonment; two other men have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Sentences of four months' imprisonment have been obtained against men convicted of fraud and forgery. Convictions have also been obtained in connection with impersonation, sentences of six months being imposed. There have also been several cases in which the improper use of influence has been suspected and in which the officials concerned have been dealt with by removal.
1438WThe policy which is being carried out is that every office shall be thoroughly inspected and its books and registers audited as rapidly as possible. Whenever evidence of fraud is obtained prosecution is at once undertaken.
The difficulties which exist in obtaining convictions must be obvious. Normally evidence can only be obtained if one wrongdoer gives away his fellows. It is to be hoped that the public will assist the authorities in stamping out evils which have undoubtedly existed. I feel sure that if the public will come forward and give information it will be of great assistance to the authorities in tracking down individuals who have been guilty of fraud in connection with recruiting.