§ 72. Mr. HAYDN JONESasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the case of Private W. B. Griffith, No. 290641, care of The Library, New Barracks, Limerick, who, for unavoidably exceeding his leave by twenty-one days owing to illness, was, on reporting at Limerick on the 21st February, placed in the guard room, notwithstanding the production of a certificate from Dr. Pughe Jones, of Barmouth, showing that he had attended the soldier for three weeks; whether he is aware that the soldier is still confined to detention; whether it is competent for a commanding officer to confine a soldier for so long a period and under such circumstances without trial; and whether, in view of the fact that the soldier enlisted in September, 1914, and that he had only returned from Egypt on the 10th December, he will issue immediate instructions for his release and demobilization?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLFrom the documents with which my hon. Friend has been good enough to supply me, it appears that the soldier concerned is awaiting trial by court-martial. In the circumstances the matter must be regarded as sub judice, but I will call for the proceedings of the court-martial when completed, and will communicate with my hon. Friend when they have been examined. He will realise that until an inquiry of this nature has been made, I must not be understood as accepting the accuracy of the statement made in the question.