§ MR. CORRIE GRANT (Warwickshire, Rugby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to the case of two soldiers who were tried at Warwick Assizes on March 6th for burglary, and at first pleaded guilty, but were induced to withdraw their plea; whether he is aware that the evidence showed that they broke into a house and stole articles to the value of £7, which were afterwards found in their possession at the barracks; that both men said they did it in order to get their discharges and not to steal; and that the jury found them not guilty, because, as the foreman said, they did not want the men to get their discharges; and whether these men will now have to undergo any military punishment.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTEMENT (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonIt seems to me a matter for regret that these men should have escaped the punishment which, on the facts as stated in the Question, they appear to have richly deserved. Having been found not guilty by a jury, they cannot be tried on the same charge by a Count Martial. Whether they have committed any breach of military discipline for which they are liable to be punished I am unable to say. This would be a matter in which the Home Office is not concerned and which would be altogether independent of the charge on which they were tried at Warwick.
§ MR. CORRIE GRANTHas the right hon. Gentleman also ascertained that the men had been previously convicted?
§ * MR. RITCHIEI do not remember having heard that. But, whether or not, I do not think they can be tried by Court Martial on a charge on which they have already been acquainted, although they pleaded guilty.