§ 22. Mr. Ivor Thomasasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the case of a soldier, whose name has been forwarded to him, who has been sentenced to 42 days' detention for stealing a mug to take the place of one stolen from him; and whether, as the soldier had previously borne the highest character, he will order the remission of the unserved portion of the sentence?
§ Sir J. GriggIn the daily routine of barrack life soldiers must constantly leave exposed their arms, accoutrements and kits, as well as their private property. They trust to the honour of their comrades, and stealing in these circumstances is regarded as particularly disgraceful. The value of the article stolen does not affect the gravity of the offence. The court no doubt took all the facts into consideration in awarding the sentence, which is not unduly heavy. Detention is corrective, and does not carry with it the stigma of imprisonment. Moreover, if the man earns full remission he will serve only 28 days.
§ Mr. ThomasIs my right hon. friend aware that this offence is not stealing, in the normal sense of the word, but part of the process of scrounging, which every hon. Member who served in the last war knows about?
§ Sir J. GriggI would not accept that for a moment.
§ Mr. ThomasIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.