§ 18. Mr. GRANTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Second-Lieutenant Plummer, while on duty as a recruiting officer at Aberlour on 3rd December, 1915, without warning or cause brutally assaulted a man named Stewart, who was present to be recruited, knocking him down and then kicking him so severely in the face that the wounds had to be stitched; that Second-Lieutenant Plummer was three hours late for a written appointment with the recruits; that the local military authority suppressed any Press notice of the incident; that the officer in question gave money to Stewart to suppress any further proceedings; that no report other than that made by the local military authority has been made upon the incident; and if he can say if Second-Lieutenant Plummer still retains his commission in His Majesty's Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTThis case has been brought to my attention by my hon. Friend. It has given rise to much correspondence, which is not yet complete. I will inform my hon. Friend when a decision has been reached.
§ Major Sir C. HUNTERHas the right hon. Gentleman caused a Court of Inquiry to be held into this matter?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo Court of Inquiry has been held.
§ Mr. PETOIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that civil proceedings were started, but were quashed by order of the military authorities so as to keep the matter from the public?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of anything of the kind.
§ Mr. TENNANTThere is an inquiry going on.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEA military inquiry?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not what is called a Court of Inquiry, but an inquiry by the War Office.