§ Mr. HUNTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) why, in the case of Captain Bryce Wilson, who had nineteen years of regular service in his own regiment with continuously good reports, and only a few months under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, D.S.O., on account of whose adverse confidential report he was turned out of his regiment, an inquiry or court-martial was not granted to Captain Bryce Wilson, whilst in the case of Lieutenant Woods, who had only seven years' service, an inquiry was granted; (2) whether in view of the fact that the Secretary of State for War is not reported in Hansard to have answered any questions at all asked by Major Adam about Captain Bryce Wilson's case on 27th June, 1910, as he stated to be the case, he can now say why the adverse confidential report sent in by Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, D.S.O., in October, 1906, was not showrn to Captain Wilson till 17th December; whether this is against the. Army regulations; and why was an inquiry or court-martial not granted to Captain Bryce Wilson according to Section 42 of the Army Act; (3) whether the Prime Minister of New Zealand stated that he was unable to consider Captain Bryce Wilson's application for a military post in New Zealand until his character was publicly cleared; whether in view of the fact that it was stated officially that there was nothing against the characters of the five officers turned out of the 5th Lancers, of whom 2539 Captain Bryce Wilson was one, he can state officially that there Is nothing against Captain Wilson's character; and, if not, will he say why he will not do so; (4) whether as in the case of Captain Bryce Wilson, any colonel of a regiment can cause an officer to be turned out of his regiment because he had reasons for not desiring his presence there; and whether the fact that the major-general to whom, in Captain Bryce Wilson's ease, the adverse Report was sent added as an objection to Captain Bryce Wilson that his nickname was Flash was considered injurious to his character by the Army Council; (5) whether the adverse confidential report on Captain Bryce Wilson was sent to him in an ordinary official envelope not marked private, and was consequently opened by the office sergeant-major; and whether any inquiries were made as to this occurrence; and (6) whether a commanding officer is entitled to state in an adverse confidential report of an officer that he had reasons for not desiring his presence in the regiment without stating to the officer what the reasons were; and is a commanding officer entitled to make an adverse confidential report of an officer, stating that he has not a good influence in the regiment, without giving any reasons for that statement?
§ Colonel SEELYThe case of this officer was fully dealt with in reply to a question put by the hon. Member for the Ealing Division of Middlesex on the 30th July, 1908, and in the Debate—Army Estimates, Report of Supply, 27th June—which took place on the 13th July, 1910. I cannot undertake to recommend the Secretary of State to reopen the case.
§ Mr. HUNTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at all events nothing was said about the injury this officer suffered through not being allowed to be employed in England? Cannot the War Office do anything to clear his character?
§ Colonel SEELYI think the case had the fullest investigation at the time, and quite recently, and I do not think any useful purpose will be served by reopening it.
§ Colonel SEELYI said it was fully considered.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANArising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Labour Exchanges are still open?