§ MR. D. H. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Colour-Sergeant Walker, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was kept a prisoner by the Afridis for six weeks, was tried by court martial on 1229 his return to his regiment for being absent without leave; and whether he was ordered to lose his pay for the time he was away?
§ SIR CHARLES CAMERON (Glasgow, Bridgeton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement that Colour-Sergeant Walker, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was recently captured, and during six weeks held prisoner, by the Afridis, has been tried by court martial on a charge of having been absent without leave, and, though acquitted, has been ordered to lose his pay for the time of his enforced absence; and whether the facts are as stated; if so, whether the Secretary of State will take steps to secure to Colour-Sergeant Walker the restoration of his pay?
§ MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Colour-Sergeant Walker, of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was kept prisoner by the Afridis for six weeks, was tried by court martial on rejoining his regiment for being absent without leave, and ordered to lose his pay during the period of his absence; and whether such loss of pay will be refunded to him?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo report on this subject has been received from India. I may, however, say that the inquiry held was only that which, under the Queen's regulations for the Army, is held on every returned prisoner of war; and, under the warrant, a man is not entitled to pay for the period of his absence as a prisoner of war. If, however, the result of the inquiry is satisfactory, the pay is restored by the Secretary of State.