asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will give for the longest and most convenient period of time the number of civil servants found guilty of misdemeanour or neglect of duty, in cases such as that in the Crown Agents' Report by Judge Fay; how many of these were moved into new jobs, placed on to pension or dismissed; and how many of these were former Crown Agents' employees.
Responsibility for disciplinary action against civil servants rests with the Ministerial head of the Department which employs them. There are no central records of such action. Crown Agents employees are not civil servants.As to situations in recent years comparable with that disclosed in the Fay Report, my hon. Friend will no doubt recall the public inquiry into the V & G affair following which, on 1st May 1972—[c. 70–1]—the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made a statement about the action taken in respect of certain civil servants. It would not be proper for me to comment on action following the Fay Report pending the outcome of the inquiry which is to be set up.