OFFICIALS DISMISSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1940, Page 5

OFFICIALS DISMISSED

FROM BRITISH MINISTRY OF SUPPLY ON EVE OF MILITARY COURT INQUIRY. CREATION OF SELECTION BOARD. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 4. On the eve of the first sitting of the military court, of inquiry which is to investigate the C. K. Scott affair, the* Minister of Supply, Mr Burgin, announced in the House of Commons that three officials of the Ministry of Supply had been dismissed. Mr Burgin added that a selection board was to be created which henceforth would make all recommendations to him relating to the appointment of civilians to positions regarded as military posts. The men who had been dismissed were a company director, Mr David Behar, his brother, Mr Robert Behar, and Captain C. P. Davies, a laiason officer in the Directorate of Ordnance Factories.

Captain Davies had sponsored applications from the Behar brothers for temporary commissions, said the Minister.

Mr Robert Behar, commenting on his dismissal, said it had no connection whatever with the Scott affairs. It was unfortunate that the two incidents happened at the same period.

The Secretary for War, Mr Stanley, in the House of Commons on February 2, announced the suspension of two military officers after allegations had been made in the House that a colonel at the War Office recommended a convicted criminal to the Supply Ministry as a.financial agent. Mr Burgin announced that disciplinary action had been taken against a member of the Supply Ministry. Mr E. Thurstle (Labour) said a financier, now passing under the name of Charles Kingsley Scott, had served two years for fraudulent conversion, and had five convictions for bankruptcy against him. He added that a Ministry of Supply official introduced Scott to a firm of Govern* ment contractors, saying he was instructed to vouch for Scott.

LARGE STAFF

ORGANISATION RAPIDLY DEVELOPED. SOME HEAVY PURCHASES. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 4. A review of the activities of the Ministry of Supply since its nucleus was set up in July. 1939. reveals (states a British Official Wireless) that over 4000 persons are now attached to the headquarters establishment, and that area organisation is being rapidly developed. Apart from long-term purchases the Ministry has spent £140,000,000 during the six months of the war, orders having been placed to the extent of £60,000.000 for textiles and leather, £20,000,000 for machine tools, £16,000.000 for scientific instruments, and £15,000,000 for general stores. At present orders are being placed at the rate of £16.000.000 a week.

Co-operation with the War Office in schemes to avoid undue interference with industry by the application of the national service Acts resulted in the release of approximately 26,000 reservists and Territorials for a period of three months, and machinery has been set up to secure the postponement of the calling up of men who tire vitally important to industry.