8. Sir GEORGE HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will grant an inquiry into the confidential report on Mr. T. H. Trounce, late first-class master gunner, Royal Artillery, which led to the loss of his Army career, or, alternatively, grant him compensation?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo, Sir. In 1925 Mr. Trounce was considered for promotion to commissioned
§ how many live animals have been used since 1st November, 1926, for experimental purposes at the Porton and Sutton Oak chemical-warfare experimental stations, respectively; the numbers of the different kinds of animals used; how many were killed by experiments; and how many had to be destroyed as a result of the effects of the experiments?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. WELLOCKAre live animals being used?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSYes, and I am giving in the OFFICIAL REPORT the details.
§ Following is the information:
§ rank as quartermaster. He was not selected because in the opinion of his military superiors he did not reach the high standard necessary for such promotion. Mr. Trounce has appealed against this decision either directly or indirectly on several occasions, but has disclosed nothing which would warrant further inquiry. There is no question of compensating him for failing to reach a position which is only obtained by the most outstanding of those who join the ranks.
1365Sir G. HAMILTONIs my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Trounce states that his immediate superior officer has now stated, both in writing and verbally, that his original adverse report on this good soldier was made under a complete misapprehension; and will he, therefore, give this officer an opportunity of withdrawing that report and so reinstate this good soldier?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI will certainly look into any statement that may have been made, but all statements that have been made have been examined, and they have shown no reason whatever for altering the decision.