HC Deb 20 December 1906 vol 167 cc1696-7
MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for South West Ham, I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a Resolution passed at a meeting of ex-service men held on Saturday, 8th December, at the Chandos Hall, Charing Cross, in connection with the sentence passed on Stoker Moodie; whether he would take into consideration the refusal of Lieutenant Collard to answer questions, with a view of having the whole proceedings quashed; and whether he would consider the advisability of abolishing Courts-martial in times of peace.

The SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (MR. Edmund Robertson, Dundoe)

So far as I am aware this Resolution has not been received. In accordance with the principle that a witness cannot be compelled to make any statement incriminating himself, Lieutenant Collard was warned that he need not answer certain questions. The same warning was given to the witnesses for the defence. All the circumstances of the case were taken into consideration by the Admiralty when the Minute was promulgated. As regards the last part of the Question, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke on Monday last.†

MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)

Arising out of the Answer may I ask if it is intended to substitute mechanicians for engine room artificers?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

That does not arise out of the Answer.