WAR CONTRACTS
THE AERODROME SCANDAL
LORD ADVOCATE'S REPLY,
(UNITED PRBSS ASSOCI4TION.—COPIHQHI.) (BIOTBR'i TSUahAM.)
LONDON, 13th August. In the House of Commons the Lord Advocate dealt with recent allegation* in connection With the alleged irregularities in regard to aerodrome contracts. He said that the Public Accounts Committee report made it appear that between, fifty and sixty thousand sterling was involved. The actual amount was £286,000. He condemned the lack of administrative supervision and the confusion of accounts, which left no.prospects of a successful criminal prosecution against anyone. General Seely, Air Minister, replying to questions on the Air Force disclosures, eaid that every possible step was taken to bring to justice any one guilty of .corrupt practices regarding contracts offered. ,
[The third report of the Select Committee on Public Expenditure was reported to reveal grave wastefulness and suggest flagrant cases of profiteering which deserve prosecution. Sir John Hunter, Administrator of Works, testified that he discovered, a conspiracy of Government men and contractors in connection with the aerodromes oontraot and had four people arrested. They were liberated after four months on bail, the Lord Advocate, who declined to prosecute, having declared that there was no evidence of their applying moneys to their own use, and that the prosecution would reveal apparent inefficiency and absence of control on the part of the Air Ministry's, local representatives. Sir John Hunter protested against such a view, and subsequently vainly urged the Lord Advocate to reqonsider his decision. Sir John Hunter emphasises that timesheete were-. falsified,, and ..wages, .were paid to non-existent,persons. The .committee expressed regret at the tord Advocate's attitude, and in its report adds: "When casea of -negligence .or. fraud are discovered, . action should he taken against the offenders, regardless of whether they are officials of the Depart' ment or not."] '. ■
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1919, Page 7
Word Count
296WAR CONTRACTS Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1919, Page 7
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