§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the law officers of the Crown were consulted as to the form and limitation of the charges on which ten officers were tried by Court-martial in reference to the incident at Mount Nelson Hotel on Christmas Eve in December, 1901; and, if not, who is responsible for them.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe charges were framed by the Judge-Advocate General according to custom.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDoes the right hon. Gentleman accept the responsibility.
§ MR. BRODRICKOf course I accept responsibility for all that is done under my charge. The Judge-Advocate General has special responsibility, in which I do not interfere.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether documents in connection with the civil action brought by Mr. Frederick Stanford against the seven officers recently tried by Court-martial were submitted to the War Office by Mr. Stanford; and, if so, whether charges of indecency against the said officers were made in the statement of claim of the plaintiff, Mr. Stanford, in the said action.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe reply to both Questions is in the affirmative.