§ 22. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the Secretary of State for War whether soldiers convicted of military offences are marched through the streets and conveyed in public conveyances in handcuffs?
§ Mr. LAWSONSoldiers under escort are only handcuffed when necessary for their safe custody. When handcuffed they are ordinarily, whether in uniform or plain clothes, taken through the streets in a special covered conveyance, such as an ambulance wagon or a cab. They are not allowed to be marched through the streets unless such a course is absolutely unavoidable. The rule on the subject is explicitly laid down in paragraph 706 of the King's Regulations.
§ Brigadier-General SPEARSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that soldiers handcuffed to an escort have, in the past few days, been marched through London and have been seen to the Tubes?
§ Mr. LAWSONI am not aware of any such incident. I shall be obliged to the hon. Gentleman if he will give me particulars.
§ Mr. FOOTIs it the general custom or a rare event for service men to be taken about handcuffed in this manner?
§ Mr. LAWSONI take it that the King's Regulations explicitly lay down the procedure, and I should say such an occurrence is rare. The fact that one particular instance has drawn attention is proof of that.