§ 12. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the pilfering of the kits of officers killed in action is still continuing unabated; whether he will state the persons who are responsible for the custody of such kits, either in the theatre of war or whilst in transit, up to the time they arrive in this country; and whether any steps have been taken to bring to justice the perpetrators of these thefts.
§ Sir J. GriggI regret that complaints of such pilfering are still being received. All overseas Commands have again been urged to take all possible measures to prevent pilfering and an explanation of the proper procedure for safeguarding kit and personal effects of casualties is being circulated to all units. But as explained to my hon. and gallant Friend on 21st March the real difficulty in this matter is that there are not enough troops which can be spared to act as guards. Offenders who are caught are, of course, punished. I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT in answer to the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question.
§ Following is the statement:
§ The following are responsible for the custody of such kit at various stages on the way from the unit to the next-of-kin in this country:
- (a) The unit to which the individual belongs for collection and forwarding to G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon.
- (b) The Movement or Postal unit for custody of belongings while in transit to G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon.
- (c) G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon until belongings are handed over to the Military Forwarding Officer (kits) or Army Post Office (personal effects) for despatch to the United Kingdom.
- (d) The Military Forwarding Officer, Liverpool for the custody of belongings of officers until he despatches them to legal representatives of deceased, under instructions from the War Office.