HC Deb 14 May 1935 vol 301 cc1525-6
3. Mr. MAXTON

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state on what grounds Private Walker, of the 78th Field Brigade of the Territorial Army, has been court-martialled and discharged from the Territorial Army for having taken part in a Scottish unemployed hunger march?

Mr. HACKING

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. Gunner Walker was not tried by court-martial, nor was he discharged from the Territorial Army for taking part in a Scottish unemployed hunger march.

Mr. MAXTON

I am afraid I cannot accept that reply. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the man in question was brought before the commander-in-chief of the regiment and other officers of the regiment, believed he was being court-martialled, and was discharged for the reason stated in the question and nothing else?

Mr. HACKING

No, Sir, it is not the fact, as stated in the question, that this man ever appeared before a courtmartial. He was actually discharged under paragraph 199 (6a) as his services were no longer required.

Mr. MAXTON

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if this man was discharged from the Territorial Force; if he was interviewed by his commanding officer and other officers of the regiment and was cross-questioned by them as to his participation in a Scottish hunger march; was asked by them if he would give up his association with unemployed workers, and, on refusing, was then told that he would be dismissed from the regiment?

Mr. HACKING

The question the hon. Member asked was whether the man was court-martialled and discharged from the Territorial Army for having taken part in an unemployed hunger march, and I say that is not correct. This man was quite correctly discharged for other reasons.

Mr. MAXTON

What were the reasons?

Mr. HACKING

I am not prepared to disclose the reasons. It is not in the public interest that they should be disclosed.

Mr. MAXTON

May I ask the right hon. Member whether the reasons for this man's dismissal from the Army were political reasons?

Mr. HACKING

No, Sir, we do not consider politics in the Army at all. This man was discharged for reasons which I am not prepared to disclose, because it would not be in the public interest to do so.

Mr. MAXTON

I cannot leave it at that.