COLONEL SYKESsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether any and what decision had been come to on the Petitions to the War Office of Colour Sergeant Connell, late of the 78th Highlanders, respecting his trial for insubordination by a Militia Regimental Court Martial, which sentenced him to confinement in Forfar Gaol with hard labour, and to the suspension of his pension for three months for conduct subsequent to his trial?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONIn consequence of having received the petitions to which the Question refers, and also from the communications received from the hon. Member himself, I referred the particulars of this court martial to the consideration 853 of the right hon. Gentleman the Judge Advocate General, and I received from him a communication expressing his opinion that the various proceedings in connection with this court martial were informal. In consequence of that communication, and fortified by the further opinion of my right hon. Friend that very doubtful evidence was adduced in support of the charge, I had no hesitation in thinking it my duty to quash the whole proceedings, and therefore gave directions to that effect. Official communications have been made on the subject, and I have also referred the matter to the consideration of the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital with reference to the pension.