§ 44. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the case of a corporal who was recently dismissed from the service for charges of indecency and ill-treatment of an aircraftsman, extending over a period of one week; if he will state what are the disciplinary powers of a corporal, under the Queen's Regulations, to impose punishments; and whether he has to inform his superior officer before such punishment is inflicted.
Mr. WardIf the hon. Member has in mind the case of Corporal Dewar, I am aware of the facts of this distressing affair. As, however, the court-martial sentence has not yet been confirmed, I would prefer to refrain from further comment at this stage. As far as the second part of the Question is concerned, an N.C.O. has no power either under Queen's Regulations or the Air Force Act to impose punishments.