HC Deb 25 February 1942 vol 378 cc182-3
12. Mr. Messer

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the case of Bernard Wellsbury, particulars of which have been sent to him; whether he is aware that he has been sent overseas without having been tried as an absentee; and whether, in view of the fact that this endangers his right of appeal to the Appellate Tribunal, he will arrange for his return to this country?

Sir A. Sinclair

Yes, Sir, but no airman has a right to appeal to the Appellate Tribunal unless he has been sentenced by court-martial to not less than three months' imprisonment. There was no charge against this airman at the time of his embarkation, nor was he under sentence. He therefore had no right of appeal to the Appellate Tribunal.