§ SIR EDWARD WATKINasked the Secretary of State for War, If any re-port has been made to him of the case of Gunner Henry George Charlton, of the Royal Horse Artillery, stationed at Topsham Barracks, Exeter; and if that report justifies the belief that Gunner 866 Charlton having been sent to Millbank Prison after sentence of a court martial for insubordination, was placed in a dark cell at that prison, was frost bitten, and is now a cripple and permanently incapacited for future military service; and, whether on his return to barracks a statement from Gunner Charlton was not taken down in the belief that he was in a dying state, and if a copy of that statement has been placed in the possession of the right hon. Gentleman; and, if so, at what date and by whom, and in whose presence was it taken down; and, also, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Charlton has been in the service eleven years, and that up to November last he has been entitled to wear four good-conduct stripes?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY, in reply said, that until this morning he was not cognizant of any of the facts connected with this very painful case. He wished for further information on the subject, and he would obliged if the hon. Member would repeat his Question on Monday next.