HC Deb 06 July 1944 vol 401 cc1286-7
5. Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the procedure adopted when persons convicted of crimes in this country and sentenced are also discovered to be deserters from the forces of an Allied country or one of the Dominions, in view of the usual practice in handing over such persons to their own national or Dominion authority, to be dealt with on a military charge; and whether, in cases where terms of imprisonment are imposed, any part of the cost is borne from funds other than the British Treasury.

Mr. H. Morrison

When a person who is a deserter or absentee from the Allied or Dominion Forces is convicted of a criminal offence by a civil court in this country and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, he is committed to a civil prison to undergo his sentence and is not handed over to the service authorities until after the expiration of the sentence. The cost of maintenance in prison of a mem- ber of the Allied or Dominion Forces is borne by the Prison Vote, but this is one of the many services covered by the general financial settlements which have been or are being negotiated with the Governments concerned.

Sir R. Glyn

Does it not mean that if a deserter commits a crime and is sent to prison, he avoids the penalties of being a deserter from the Forces?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, because at the end of his prison sentence he is handed over to the military authorities, who are then competent to deal with him for desertion.

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