§ 9. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for War whether, consequent on the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Carlisle, he has any further information about the case of the late Guardsman Nugent.
§ Mr. RamsdenIn the Adjournment debate on 2nd December, my hon. Friend said that Guardsman Nugent's father had had no notification of the inquest upon his son until he read of it in the Press. I replied that there had been a misunderstanding about what actually happened and that Mr. Nugent was notified by the police on 21st March. Following representations by my hon. Friend and Mr. Nugent, I have made further inquiries. It is now clear that the statement I made was wrong. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity to say so, and to apologise to him and to Mr. Nugent, and to the House.
§ Dr. JohnsonI thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Is he aware that I am— 1376 and, I am sure, my constituent will be —most grateful for the way in which he personally has dealt with this matter? Is he also aware that in looking again at this case after an Adjournment debate has taken place, he is not only maintaining confidence in good government in general, but also maintaining the confidence of parents of Service men that their complaints in regard to their sons in sad incidents like this will be fairly and honestly treated?