§ 34. Mr. Henry Channonasked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a further statement about the ill-treatment of Signalman Walter Jones at Catterick Camp last November.
§ 35. Mr. Edeasked the Secretary of State for War if the inquiry into the allegations of brutal conduct against Signalman Walter Jones at Catterick Camp has been finished; what conclusions he has reached; and what disciplinary action has been taken against any individuals, whose action has been shown to be blameworthy.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)I have not been fully satisfied with the conditions at Catterick Camp and I therefore called for a special report. I hope and believe that the steps which have recently been taken will prevent a recurrence of incidents of this kind. I will, however, undertake to keep this particular problem under close attention.
As regards the ill-treatment of this man, following an inquiry one non-commissioned officer and six signalmen were convicted by district court-martial on 11th January. The non-commissioned officer was found guilty on two charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and of ill-treating a soldier, and is now serving a sentence of six months' detention. The six signalmen were found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm and are each serving sentences of 42 days' detention.