§ Mr. WIGNALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an assistant foreman, named A. K. Heb-ditch, who was summarily dismissed from No. 1 stores depot, Kidbrook, for alleged inefficiency; whether he is aware that this assistant foreman had to visit another group in the course of his duties and during his absence the men under him were found preparing to leave their work five minutes before time, and that the assistant foreman explained that his absence was unavoidable and the action of the men was in no way authorised by him; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case with a view to the reinstatement of the assistant foreman or, alternatively, the payment to him of wages for 14 days or a month in lieu of notice?
§ Major TRYONI have caused enquiries to be made into this case, and am satisfied that Hebditch was rightly dismissed on account of slackness in the discharge of his duties after previous warning had been given him. I am therefore unable to authorise his reinstatement, but have given instructions that he is to be paid the week's wages in lieu of notice, to which he was entitled in view of the grounds on which he was dismissed.