§ Mr. ANDERSONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Frank Wheeler was discharged from His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, for refusing to carry out an order given by a local transport officer, the order being contrary to Admiralty instructions; whether he is aware that Wheeler is a discharged Service man, having nine years' good character in the Navy and three years' good character in Portsmouth yard; whether the Admiralty have refused this man an interview in which to state his case; whether steps have been taken to prevent the employment of Wheeler in any Government establishment under Admiralty jurisdiction; and whether he will now cause inquiry to be made into all the facts of the case?
§ Mr. PRETYMANWheeler was discharged for refusing to carry out the proper order of his superior officer; his former service has not come into question; he has endeavoured to justify his conduct. At Wheeler's request the Admiral Superintendent held a full inquiry into the matter; the Secretary of the man's union attended the inquiry and examined the witnesses, but the case against Wheeler was substantiated. On 18th April the local munitions tribunal heard a claim made on behalf of Wheeler for compensation for being dismissed without notice. The decision of the tribunal was that the man's disobedience was misconduct "within the meaning of the Act," and his claim was disallowed. Further inquiry into this case is not considered necessary.