§ Mr. BYLESasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to an incident a few days ago, after dinner at the officers' mess of the Army Service Corps at Aldershot, when a quarrel arose because two young officers bearing foreign names were irritated by the persistent ridicule of their comrades; whether several officers have been reprimanded and two placed under arrest; and what punishment, if any, has been administered?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe General Officer Commanding, Aldershot, reports that the statement that any quarrel took place in the Army Service Corps Officers' Mess, or that any instance has occurred of officers with foreign names having been subjected to ridicule, or that any officers have been reprimanded on account of any incident of a like nature, is unfounded; and that no incidents bearing any similarity to those referred to have taken place.
§ Mr. BYLESIs the right hon. Gentleman fully aware that in several highly respectable newspapers on Sunday week, and in, I believe, the "Times" of the previous day, the alleged incident was described in great detail: does he suggest, or does he wish the House to believe, that there was no foundation at all for this story?
§ Mr. HALDANEWhat I wish to suggest is that a lot of unfounded gossip can be found in the newspapers.