30. Major DAVIESasked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he can state how many cases there have been of offences committed under Paragraph 453 of the King's Regulations dealing with communications and letters sent to the Press during the last four years by officers, non-commissioned officers, or men on service; and if he can state what procedure was adopted in dealing with each of these cases and also the punishments which were inflicted?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am sorry that it is not possible to give this information.
31. Major DAVIESasked the Under secretary of State for War whether he can state the method of procedure to be taken in the case of an officer on the active list who communicates information to the Press or to a military correspondent, or writes to the Press contrary to Regulation 453, King's Regulations; and whether offences committed under Regulation 453, King's Regulations, are subject to trial by court-martial?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAn infraction of paragraph 453, King's Regulations, constitutes an offence under Section 40 of the Army Act. A commanding officer under Section 46 of the Army Act has the power either to dismiss the case or remand the officer for trial by court-martial. If this procedure be not adopted, there is the alternative procedure of disposing of the case by the Army Council under the Royal Warrant.