§ 39. General CROFTasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the occasion of a recent air raid in Kent certain officers were placed under arrest; whether these officers are still under arrest; and, if so, on what charge were they arrested?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have not been able to trace that any court-martial of officers of the Royal Flying Corps were held at Shorncliffe or elsewhere in connection with the Folkestone air raid. The fact appears to be that two officers, not of the Royal Flying Corps, were placed under open arrest and subsequently dealt with by their General for an offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations by removing portions of bombs dropped from hostile aircraft. On an explanation being given, the General was satisfied, and they were released.
§ General CROFTHow long was it be fore these officers were released, and has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that no primâ facie case was made out?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere must have been a primâ facie case made out, because these officers were, on their own confession, in possession of these pieces of hostile bombs. My hon. and gallant Friend knows that that is an offence under military orders.
§ General CROFTIs it not quite likely that these officers never heard of that Order, and is it not a fact that the very moment they understood that this material was required they immediately brought it in of their own free will?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member ought to give notice of these new questions.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that, despite the hon. Gentleman's answer, a certain officer of the Royal Flying Corps was 1308 called up before the Commanding Officer for taking the air because he could not get instructions?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no information whatever about that. I do not think it is the fact.
§ Mr. BILLINGIf I give the hon. Gentleman information will he act upon it?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWith regard to the question put by my hon. and gallant Friend (General Croft), I pointed out in my answer that the moment a reasonable explanation was given the men were released.
§ General CROFTIs it desirable that officers should be placed under arrest for trivial offences of this kind?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe charge against them was disobedience to orders. It is a well-known fact, which may not have been brought to the knowledge of these particular officers, that at all these aeroplane stations there is a definite order that no officer should be in possession of any piece of a hostile aeroplane.