HC Deb 29 November 1949 vol 470 cc920-2
8. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the remark of Mr. Justice Oliver on 7th November, 1949, when he sentenced a sergeant to 12 years' imprisonment for 31 cases of offences against young soldiers committed at Catterick Camp, and to the remarks of Mr. Justice Stable on 11th November, 1949, when he sentenced an officer of the Army Catering Corps to six years' imprisonment for seven similar offences committed at Catterick Camp; and what steps he is taking to improve moral conditions at Catterick Camp, and to reassure parents whose sons are being called up and posted there.

Mr. M. Stewart

My attention has been drawn to these two deplorable cases, in the former of which seven young soldiers were involved, and to the remarks made by Mr. Justice Oliver and Mr. Justice Stable. I can assure the hon. Member that the military authorities at Catterick Camp, and elsewhere, are fully alive to the need for proper care and supervision to ensure the moral welfare of young soldiers, and the attention of all commanding officers was drawn, earlier this year, to their responsibilities in this matter. I am satisfied that the discipline and morale of Catterick Garrison are of a high standard, and that there are available excellent recreational and educational facilities.

Details of the conviction and sentence in the case of the sergeant have been published in District Orders as a warning to others, and the General Officer Commanding, Catterick District, has sent a personal letter to all commanding officers in the garrison. If any parents or relatives would like to visit Catterick there is a Navy, Army and Air Force hostel at which they are welcome to stay.

Mr. Turton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the officer mentioned in the second part of the Question had been previously convicted some years ago for a similar offence; and what steps do the Army authorities take to secure that an officer with such a record is not placed in charge of young soldiers?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, Sir, I was aware of that. I have inquired into it and I find that at the time this officer was given a short service commission the most careful inquiries were made, as is the normal practice, Which ought to have revealed this fact but which, for some reason I have not been able to discover, did not reveal it. But there was no failure of duty on the part of the War Office to make the proper inquiries. Had the facts come to our notice, of course, he would not have been commissioned.

Brigadier Medlicott

Do these cases not show the wisdom of the War Office policy in trying to maintain the chaplaincy, educational and welfare services at the highest available level?

Mr. Stewart

Certainly.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister review his method of inquiry into officers about to receive short service commissions to see that in future these lapses do not occur?

Mr. Stewart

I will do that, but I would point out that in this case inquiries were fully and properly made. What was lacking was that we were not given the correct answer.