§ 23. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the practice of commanding officers, and within Army Regulations, to detain offenders in close confinement for as much as two weeks before they are tried, pending information being received that prison or other accommodation is available; and whether this period is deducted from any sentence of imprisonment or detention passed on offenders found guilty?
§ Mr. LawIt is not the practice of commanding officers to detain soldiers before trial for the reasons referred to by my hon. Friend, and such a proceeding would be quite unauthorised. My right hon. Friend's attention has, however, been drawn by my hon. Friend the Member for South Tottenham (Mr. Messer) to a particular case in which irregularities of this kind have occurred, and appropriate steps are now being taken to deal with it.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are many instances of this, and that I know of one case where there was seven weeks' detention. Would he inquire into these various cases?
§ Mr. LawIf the hon. Gentleman will furnish me with particulars of these cases, I will certainly look into them.