HC Deb 31 October 1916 vol 86 c1515
65. Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner M. Cowan, now serving with the 32nd Battery of the Royal Field Artillery, at Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow, was arrested in Rathfriland, County Down, on 16th August, whilst working on his mother's farm and forced into the Army; whether he has ascertained that Cowan was only a few months in Scotland in his life, was not ordinarily resident there, and had returned permanently to Ireland a year before his arrest; and whether, as he is therefore illegally detained and has, moreover, been found to be physically unfit for drill, he will now be released?

Mr. FORSTER

I have sent urgent telegraphic inquiries, but it has unfortunately not yet proved possible to obtain information as to Cowan's medical condition.