§ 31. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Major E. J. Graham, R.E., was arrested in Egypt, on 2nd April, on a charge which has not been carried further; that no summary of evidence was taken until 21st May and then only in connection with other charges of a minor character; that he is still under arrest and that he has not yet been brought to trial; and if he will deal at once with this unreasonable delay.
§ Mr. BellengerI am not aware of this case, but I am making inquiries, and will write to the hon. and learned Member.
§ Mr. PrittWhen the Secretary of State has particulars of this and any other cases of delay, will he pass them to the Foreign Office to be dealt with by the critics of delay in Central Europe?
§ Mr. BellengerNo, Sir, I prefer to deal with these cases, which affect my Department, myself.
§ Mr. George WallaceIs my right hon. Friend aware that Questions of this type usually appear on the Order Paper once a week, and are indicative of the fact that reform of court martial procedure is necessary.
§ Mr. BellengerNo, Sir, I think my hon. Friend is assuming too much. The mere fact that a Question appears on the Order Paper week by week does not necessarily mean that the Question is full of facts.
§ Mr. PrittIs my right hon. Friend suggesting that the Question on the Paper. about which he admits he knows nothing, is not based on facts?
§ Mr. BellengerNo, Sir, I was answering my hon. Friend behind me, and not the hon. and learned Member.