HC Deb 06 March 1906 vol 153 cc285-6
MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will give the particulars of the offences for which sixty-seven soldiers are now undergoing punishment in civil prisons without such imprisonment carrying with it discharge from the Army.

* THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) Haddingtonshire

The particulars of the offences are as follows:—

Stealing 27
Malicious damage 1
Larceny 7
Obscene language 2
Assaulting female 2
Assault 10
Absent from Militia training 2
Attempted suicide 1
Bigamy 1
Debtor 1
Drunk and disorderly 1
Indecency 3
Ill-treating donkey 1
Forgery 1
False answer on attestation 2
Fraudulent enlistment 2
64†
† I may add that the total number should have been given as 64 and not as 67.

MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay down a ruling that no soldier having once been committed to a civil prison shall again be allowed to wear the uniform?

* MR. HALDANE

That requires consideration.