§ Mr. HIGHAM(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Jarratt, of the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment, stationed at Ramillies Barracks, was awakened by the scream of a woman outside the barracks, and, on going out, saw a woman in great pain at the end of the building, that he took her into the barracks, placed her on his bed, and fetched a policeman and a doctor, that in consequence of his humane action the woman's life was saved, but he was found to have broken the regulations forbidding a woman in the barracks, and was punished by being placed in detention; can he state whether the soldier's action in this matter will be placed to his credit on his Army record and not to his detriment, that his commanding officer will be instructed to commend this man's action, and, further, what recompense does he propose to make to the man in the circumstances?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The facts stated in the first part of the question are substantially correct. The soldier was placed in arrest and detained until a post-mortem examination of the child was completed; he was then released. A military inquiry is being held, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result.
§ Mr. HIGHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman say why an inquiry is being held into an action of this kind, which is obvious?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSA military inquiry is being held in order to ascertain all the facts.
§ Mr. HIGHAMIs this man still under detention?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo, I think not. I said he was released as soon as the result of the post-mortem examination was known.