§ 29. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that prisoners in Gabbari military prison, Alexandria, Egypt, have been warned that they must not quote scripture in writing their letters and that friends who write to them must not make Biblical quotations; and whether there is a general rule precluding such quotations?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have no information as to the statements contained in my hon. Friend's question, but will have inquiry made of the military authorities in Egypt and acquaint my hon. Friend of the result in due course.
§ 30. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private C. W. Kapeller, No. 477205, Royal Army Medical Corps, now in Gabbari prison, Alexandria, Egypt, enlisted in September, 1914, as a non-combatant, went 2098 through the Gallipoli campaign as a stretcher bearer, later was fourteen months a stretcher bearer in Egypt, and did duty at the 65th casualty clearing station in Palestine; is he aware that on 23rd February, 1918, this man was sent to Cairo against his will for Infantry training, and was there threatened with trial and the death penalty for mutiny; why was the man after two years and nine months in the firing line court-martialled and imprisoned; whether he is aware that a promise had been made to his parent that Private Kapeller should be sent home; and why has that promise not been carried out?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am making inquiry into this case, and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.