§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the eminent services of Major H. B. Woods during 22 years as an officer of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, the strong recommendation to mercy which accompanied the finding of the court martial on him last October, the fact that the language, in regard to which he was found guilty, having been due to a brother officer calling him a liar, and the numerously signed Petition in his behalf from the inhabitants of Plymouth where he was quartered, the Lords of the Admiralty could see their way to re-consider their confirmation of the sentence of the court martial, so that the country may not entirely lose the services of this gallant officer?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe statements in the question 296 of the hon. Member give an inadequate and incorrect idea of the gravity of the offences and acts for which Major Woods was tried. The sentence of the Court and all the circumstances connected with this most painful affair have been fully and carefully considered by myself and the naval members of the Board, and it is our unanimous opinion that the sentence should not be interfered with.