§ Mr. Wilmotasked the Home Secretary whether he will state the circumstances which led to the removal of Mrs. Councillor England from her post as district warden for Kennington; whether any appropriate inquiry was held; and whether the lady in question was given adequate opportunities to defend herself against any charges that were made?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe appointment and dismissal of air-raid wardens are matters for the local authority concerned. I understand that the circumstances of this case are as follow. In November last the Regional Commissioners requested the principal warden to inquire into complaints received by them affecting the wardens' service in Lambeth and Mrs. 615W England's district in particular. Arrangements for the inquiry, which was held by the deputy principal warden, were made with the town clerk, who was asked to inform Mrs. England of the substance of the complaints made against her and to secure her attendance. Mrs. England was called and gave evidence at the inquiry in addition to a number of post wardens selected at random from her district. As a result of the evidence given at the inquiry the Commissioners informed the town clerk that in their opinion Mrs. England was unfitted for the post of district warden and would be well advised voluntarily to vacate her post. She did not do so, and the local authority relieved her of it.