HC Deb 17 July 1956 vol 556 cc1017-8
12. Mr. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has not remitted the sentence of collective punishment imposed on men of the 4/47 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery, Plymouth, for hanging a stove on the regimental flagpole, in view of its severity for a small unit.

Mr. Head

No such sentence was imposed.

Mr. Hayman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that about 80 men were punished? Can he say whether each man was found guilty after trial? Is he aware that officers started these incidents, that they roll about the ornamental cannon balls after every party and that I am informed that they have let off thunder flashes at 1 a.m.? Can he say whether officers normally get preferential treatment over the men in similar incidents of this kind?

Mr. Head

The hon. Member has got this wrong. Cannon balls were rolled about and there was something on the top of the flagpole, but that has nothing to do with this matter, which is concerned with the fact that there were complaints from the public that stones were being thrown over the ramparts. The commanding officer said that there would be a guard on the ramparts. The stone-throwing stopped and the guard was taken off, but it was not a punishment.