HC Deb 07 February 1956 vol 548 cc1475-6
6. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War which two Territorial Army divisions are to be organised at full scale and earmarked for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and which six

men being punished twice for what is really the same act?

Mr. Head

Yes, Sir. Indeed, I would be the first to say that this was inadvertent. The commanding officer did not know that this man was going to a civil court. And when he found out he took particular pains to send an officer to say that this had happened inadvertently, and it was taken into account.

Mr. Stewart

In that case, is not the suggestion that Army funds might pay the fine the obvious corollary to what the right hon. Gentleman has said?

Mr. Head

It is clearly laid down in regulations that a man who is to be tried by civil court shall not be given a military conviction. This was an inadvertent mistake by the commanding officer.