§ Mr. H. C. LEAasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at the inquest held last Monday, at Colchester Garrison Hospital, on the death of a private soldier in the Bedford Regiment, who committed suicide as a result of brooding over his sentence of punishment picquet by his commanding officer, although he had himself committed no offence; whether the punishment of a whole company on account of one man in that company getting drunk is authorised by military regulations; and, if not, why has the officer commanding the Bedford Regiment been allowed to pursue this system of punishment?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)Inquiry is being made into this case. If my hon. Friend will put his question down again for Tuesday next, I hope that I shall be able to give him a reply on that date.