§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether grave charges have been brought against an officer of high rank in the Ordnance Department at Weedon; whether an inquiry has been made into the truth or otherwise of the charges; and, if so, whether the War Office gave an opportunity to the person making the charges to bring forward his evidence; whether that evidence was in any way sought or received; and, whether the officer in question is a gentleman who was recently the subject of severe strictures from the Daventry County Magistrates?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E.STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Charges were brought against one of the Ordnance Store officers at Weedon by a man who had been discharged from the Department under suspicious circumstances. The matter was referred to the General Officer Commanding, and Reports were received which satisfied me and the Commander-in-Chief that the charges were without foundation. It was not considered necessary to call upon the person who preferred the charges to produce his evidence. I have no knowledge of any proceedings before the Daventry County Magistrates.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREIf I submit a statement, will the right hon. Gentleman look into it?
§ MR. E. STANHOPECertainly, Sir.