§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the nature of the charge against No. 62801 L.A.C. Robert Deans, Headquarters, Desert Air Force, Udine, Italy; and how long he has been under arrest in the guard room, awaiting trial.
§ Mr. de FreitasThis airman has been in close arrest since 16th January awaiting trial on charges of absence without leave on two occasions. There have been difficulties in bringing him to trial owing to the release of material witnesses, out I am awaiting a fuller report on this long delay and will circulate a statement in HANSARD as soon as I can.
§ Mr. StokesHas the Service any right to keep a man under close arrest for so long? Surely he ought not to be under close arrest?
§ Mr. de FreitasI have called for a full report on this matter. It requires a great deal of explanation, on the face of it, and that is why I have asked for this report. I will circulate a statement in HANSARD.
§ Mr. de FreitasWithin a month
§ Mr. WillisWill the Under-Secretary bear in mind that the original charges against this man are entirely different from those stated in the answer?
§ Mr. de FreitasI am not aware of that. The facts are that he is charged with being absent without leave for two periods, one of eight days, and one of two months.
§ Mr. DribergWill my hon. Friend give an assurance that this long period of time awaiting trial will be taken into account if the man is found guilty?
§ Mr. de FreitasUnder the Rules of Procedure, paragraph 46, that automatically happens.