§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he has yet considered the sentence on the men of the Grenadier Guards; if the men sentenced were old or young; if they will remain in England to undergo their sentence, or whether they will accompany the regiment to Bermuda; and if he will recommend the reduction of the sentence?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI have not considered the sentences. The men of the Grenadier Guards who have been convicted by Court Martial are aged 27 years and nine months, 26 years and two months, 28 years and one month, 25 years and seven months, 25 years and 10 months, and 29 years and six months. They will remain in England to undergo their imprisonment.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSON (Dundee)May I ask on what principle the six men, and six men only, were selected for trial, and whether any punishment, except being sent abroad, is to be awarded to the other in subordinates? I will also ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will lay on the Table of the House a complete copy of the proceedings of the Court Martial?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEMy reply to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question is entirely in the negative. The reason why six men were selected for trial was that, according to the custom in such cases, the men tried were the senior soldiers in the respective companies.
§ MR. SINCLAIR (Falkirk, &c.)May I ask whether the sending of the troops abroad is to be considered a punishment?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI can only, as I have already said, lay the facts before the House. The House must draw its own conclusions.
§ * MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I feel the difficulty of Parliamentary interference where discipline is concerned, but having been myself a private soldier I venture on an appeal. As the sentences passed on the convicted men were considered excessive, will the right hon. Gentleman, from the point of view of mercy consider whether part of those sentences may not be remitted?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI have not yet had an opportunity of seeing a copy of the proceedings in question, or forming any opinion upon them, but I deprecate Parliamentary interference in such cases. Of course, I take full responsibility in the matter.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONIs there any special reason why the Reports of these proceedings should not be laid on the Table, as is usual in such cases?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEIt is not usual to lay the proceedings of Courts of Inquiry on the Table.
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONThis is not a Court of Inquiry, but a Court Martial; and I must press for a reply to the question.
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI am afraid I must decline to lay the proceedings on the Table.
§ * MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)Will the right hon. Gentleman order an inquiry into the conduct of the officers?
§ MR. CONYBEAREIs there any precedent for sending a regiment abroad as a punishment for insubordination?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI have not pursued my historic inquiries far enough to be able to answer the question of the hon. Member.
§ An hon. MEMBER: Has Colonel Maitland applied to be tried by Court Martial?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEI have not heard so.