§ 11. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the public indignation caused by the announcement of the sentence of ninety days' field punishment awarded to Driver Graham, of the 30th Division, by a field court-martial in France for exceeding the speed-limit; whether this punishment includes the strapping of this man to a wagon for two hours each day; and whether he will take steps to see that all degrading physical punishments of this kind, which were introduced into the Army at the time when flogging was abolished, are now also abolished?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am answering this question in the first person singular, but my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State is referred to throughout.
I have now had the opportunity of perusing the proceedings of the court-martial which awarded the sentence of ninety days field punishment, and I find that one month was remitted by the General Officer Commanding. With regard to the hon. Member's request for the abolition of field punishment, I regret I do not see my way to make any alteration in the law upon this subject. In regard to the particular punishment inflicted upon Driver Graham, in view of the fact that I am advised that the sentence, although modified as above stated, is in excess of the requirements of discipline, instructions have been issued that it shall be wholly remitted, and this procedure will have the effect of restoring to the man his pay and allotments to his wife.
§ Mr. MORRELLIs my hon. Friend aware that there is a distinction between Field Punishment No. 1 and Field Punishment No. 2? Can he see his way to ask the 842 Under-Secretary to recommend that Field Punishment No. 1 should in every ease be commuted?
§ Mr. FORSTERI will call my Noble Friend's attention to the matter.