§ 44. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War whether recruits presenting themselves for attestation in the Regular Army are still required to state whether they have been convicted by the civil power; and whether the prewar practice of discharging those who are found to have been so convicted still continues.
§ Mr. ShinwellBefore they may be attested, all recruits are required to state whether they have been convicted by the civil power. If the answer is "Yes," particulars must be given so that a check can be made. If a man has been convicted of a serious offence he is not accepted. A man does not subsequently become liable for discharge unless it transpires that, on enlistment, he made a false statement regarding a civil conviction, in which case he may be court-martialled and possibly discharged.
§ Mr. SwinglerIn view of the prospect that another Question on the Paper may not be reached, will my right hon. Friend say whether his attention has been drawn 942 to an article written by a senior officer and published in a London evening newspaper on 4th February in which it was stated that in the prewar Regular Army there were soldiers with bad prison and Borstal records; and, further, will he make clear whether or not this article was submitted to him for his approval prior to publication; and, in any case, is not the statement incorrect?
§ Mr. ShinwellThe officer in question was retired from the Army on 3rd February, and, therefore, I can incur no responsibility on his account.