HC Deb 16 February 1954 vol 523 cc1800-1
24. Mr. Yates

asked the Secretary of State for War, what is the practice of his Department regarding the holding of men called up for National Service who have proved themselves incapable of being efficient soldiers; and, in view of the fact that National Service man 22149853 Daniel Kemmings, Ladywood, Birmingham, commenced his National Service nearly five years ago and has still to complete a sentence of nine months' detention before his release, if he will consider the advisability of an earlier release for this man.

Mr. Head

In serious cases the man's whole-time service is prematurely ended. I can find no grounds in Private Kemmings'case for interference with the sentence.

Mr. Yates

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that a National Service man who goes into the Army for more than five years and proves to be entirely unsatisfactory should still be retained in the Army? Is he aware that this man complains of the treatment he received, and that he complained before he was given a court-martial that he was actually handcuffed to the bed for four days? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the man has been locked up for 16 hours a day for the past month and has not been permitted to read? Is that calculated to make him of any value to the country, and is there any use in keeping such a man in the Forces any longer?

Mr. Head

This man has been to prison and Borstal and has been under detention. If I were to set theprecedent that military release should follow indulgence in crime, it would be a most unfortunate policy.

Mr. S. Silverman

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain to the House what is the purpose of retaining this man at public cost in the Services, where he is of no use, and keeping him in constant confinement in order to perform a service which he will not perform and which no one can make him do?

Mr. Head

I do not want to retain the man in the Services because of his value, but I do say to the hon. Gentleman that there is a certain equity in these matters. If the man's behaviour is entirely unsatisfactory and automatically he gains his release, I believe it is unfair to the men who behave themselves.