§ 19 Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether (1) his attention has been called to a statement made by General Childs to a representative of the Press, and published on 1194 14th November, to the effect that twelve men were recently sentenced to one day's field punishment No. 1, and that one of these men afterwards died, presumably from the effects of the punishment; whether he will say for what offence these men were punished; and whether he agrees with the statement attributed to General Childs that the proceedings were entirely satisfactory in every respect; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to a letter addressed to him from the secretary of the National Society of Chauffeurs, on 4th September, and acknowledged by his secretary on 7th September, in which particulars were given of the various methods of field punishment No. 1, as reported by members of the society who had served in the Army and had seen or suffered such punishment; whether he has had inquiries made into the allegations contained in that letter, and especially into the existence of a form of punishment known as the pole punishment; and, if so, with what result; and (3) whether he will have a full inquiry made into the practice of field punishment No. 1 and will ask for a Return of the number of cases in which such punishment has been awarded, the offences for which it is awarded, and the exact nature of the punishment in each case, with a view to preventing a continuance and repetition of the scandals that have occurred on various occasions in connection with this punishment?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am communicating with the military authorities in France as to this form of punishment, and until I receive their replies I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to discuss the question in this House.
§ Mr. MORRELLWill the right hon. Gentleman see that this punishment is discontinued until he has got a reply to his inquiries?
§ Mr. R. McNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that in this matter he will follow the advice of his military advisers rather than the pressure of this House?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am communicating with the military authorities upon the subject, but military necessity must be paramount in this matter. That should not in the least be incompatible with absolute justice to the private soldier.
§ Commander WEDGWOODWill my right hon. Friend remember that it is the feeling in this country in favour of the War which is in question even more than the actual punishment inflicted upon prisoners in the field?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I am bearing that very much in mind.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman please state that this punishment, known as crucifixion, shall stop in this country—
§ Mr. BILLINGIt is taking place in this country at the present minute.