§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked how many soldiers were dealt with summarily by commanding officers; and what were the terms of punishment and detention inflicted?
§ Mr. HALDANENo information is available at the War Office, as no returns of such cases are furnished.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDDoes the right hon. Gentleman give the House to understand that no record is kept of soldiers sentenced to detention by commanding officers?
§ Mr. HALDANESome of these matters are very small indeed—slight reprimands, admonitions, or small stoppages.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman state approximately the number of occasions, if any, on which a soldier has elected to be tried by a court- 1048 martial rather than by the commanding officer?
§ Mr. HALDANEI should not like to say in no case. Every now and again there are exceptions.