§ Mr. E. JENKINSasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that Captain Roberts, 94th Regiment, has been in arrest for more than a month at Newry Barracks without being brought to a Court martial; whether such arrest was not in consequence of a communication made to the Horse Guards by three Members of this House; whether the matter has ever been brought to the personal notice of His Royal Highness Commanding in Chief; and, what is the cause of the delay in bringing Captain Roberts to trial?
Mr. GATHORNE HARDYSir, I must answer the first part of the Question in the affirmative. It is true that 1971 Captain Roberts has been under arrest since the 20th of April. The arrest was in consequence of a communication, written and signed, which was delivered to the Military Secretary, by three Members of this House, and which contained very grave reflections upon Captain Roberts's commanding officer in his military capacity. The matter has been brought to the personal attention of the Commander-in-Chief, and the delay is attributable to different causes. First of all, time was given to withdraw the offensive imputations if it was thought proper; secondly, a considerable amount of correspondence has passed with respect to the Court martial; and thirdly, an opportunity was offered Captain Roberts to have the case brought on earlier, but he preferred the 27th of June, for which it was now fixed.
§ MR. E. JENKINSasked when the opportunity was offered to Captain Roberts?
§ MR. E. JENKINSgave Notice that he would ask the right hon. Gentleman the time at which notice was given to Captain Roberts of the Court martial, and the time at which the offer was made to have the Court martial at an earlier period.