§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will identify the officials criticised in the Fourth Report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for 1977–78; whether disciplinary action has been taken; if so, what; and if he will make a further statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsAs I explained in my reply of 3rd April 1978 to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Mr. Pavitt)—[Vol. 947, c.25–6]—I do not think it right to identify the officials involved. The Parliamentary Commissioner did not find it necessary to interview 242W them, and, so long after the events in 1964 to which the Report relates, they would find it difficult to assemble evidence bearing on their individual responsibility. I have strongly condemned the actions of the officials concerned, but I am satisfied that there would be no advantage now in attempting to take further steps to attribute individual responsibility. Of the four middle grade officials involved, three, including both those who took the decisions, have since retired. The fourth is working abroad