§ 66. Mr. LEES-SMITHasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the assurances given by the War Office that, in cases under Regulation 40D under the Defence of the Realm Acts, the soldier would give evidence in open Court against the woman are in a large number of cases not being fulfilled; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of any assurance such as suggested, but, on the contrary, it has been stated in reply to questions put by my hon. Friend on this point that there is no authority to give directions as to the evidence to be called before magistrates.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHBefore giving the reply that he was not aware of these assurances, had the right hon. Gentleman in mind the letter written by Sir Reginald Brade, on behalf of the War Office to the National Union of Women Workers, in which he said: "It is necessary for the soldier—"
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that.