§ 42. Mr. Keenanasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the case reported recently of the death of Bandsman George Fletcher on whom an inquest was held, and the failure of those in charge at the barracks concerned to secure early medical treatment; and what action he is taking to assure parents that their boys in the Army are living under reasonable conditions.
§ Mr. HeadI am waiting for the proceedings of a court of inquiry set up to investigate this sad case, and am not yet in a position to make any comments.
§ Mr. KeenanMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to go very carefully into this matter, especially in view of the complaints there have been of similar incidents concerning young soldiers in different units? Is he aware that this kind of report-and we do not get all the reports of bad cases like this-disturbs the parents of National Service men? Unless the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to do something better, and to regulate the conduct of N.C.O.s and some officers, he will have difficulty with parents of boys who are away from home.