§ MR. WEIR (ROSS and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that William Vernon, of the 3rd North Staffordshire Regiment, although absent from duty under a certificate signed Crosthwaite, Captain, was subsequently arrested under an order signed by the same officer, on the ground that he was an absentee; and seeing that, on Vernon appearing before the stipendiary magistrate at Hanley, Staffordshire, on the 30th May, the military authorities were net represented, and that the magistrate, in ordering the man's release, expressed his strong condemnation of the action of the War Office, will he state under what circumstances the order for arrest was issued.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNo report of this case has reached the War Office. Doubtless if any error has been made, the matter will, on investigation by the general officer commanding the district concerned, be properly dealt with. I must point out to the hon. Member that he is mistaken in supposing that the action taken was initiated by the War Office.