§ 1. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can disclose the circumstances of the death, in Malaya on 21st March, 1952, of Private MacDonald; and why he has declined to allow the father of the deceased soldier to see the report of the inquiry.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)On 21st March last year Lance-Corporal MacDonald was travelling in an armoured car on convoy duty in Malaya. The armoured car was forced to the verge of a narrow road to avoid an approaching civilian vehicle, the bank of the ditch at the roadside collapsed under its weight and the car overturned. This soldier most regrettably sustained severe head injuries from which he died.
The reports of courts of inquiry are confidential and privileged documents and we do not disclose them.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the father of this soldier, who himself has an excellent military record in the First World War, is distressed both at the death of his son and at the failure of the War Office to furnish him with particulars about the affair? If the report is confidential and cannot be disclosed to the father, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the father to come and 162 see him in order that the right hon. Gentleman may talk to him about the situation and thus endeavour to remove some of his distress?
§ Mr. HeadYes. I well appreciate the father's distress. I have seen the letters which were sent explaining how the accident occurred, but if I can do anything more to relieve his feelings I shall be only too glad to do it.
§ Mr. ShinwellDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that he will invite Mr. MacDonald to see him in order to talk it over?