35. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the confession of another soldier of his guilt of the offence for which Rifleman Denis Robinson, of the Royal Ulster Rifles, was court-martialled on 30th September, 1961, he will now arrange for the release of Rifleman Robinson, and clear his name.
§ Mr. ProfumoIn consequence of the decision of the Courts Martial Appeal Court on 2nd March, I have already caused action to be taken according to the recommendations of the Lord Chief Justice.
Mr. LeeWill the right hon. Gentleman say what that means in plain English? Is Rifleman Robinson still in detention? If so, how many people must be in detention for one and the same crime to conform to War Office justice? Is it not the case that another man has confessed to this? Obviously, Rifleman Robinson did not want to let down his colleague. Would the right hon. Gentleman now say that in view of all this Rifleman Robinson will be released?
§ Mr. ProfumoNo, I am afraid I cannot accept that Rifleman Robinson 396 should be released. The other soldier who since the trial has said he did the assault himself gave evidence for the defence at "the trial and made no admission regarding this at all. The hon. Gentleman will understand that I have got to be absolutely satisfied about this. In view of what he has said in his Question, I will see that an examination is carried out as quickly as possible, but I am not in a position to release anybody till the case is substantiated.
§ Mr. Stratton MillsIs my right hen. Friend aware that this man is a constituent of mine, and will he arrange to meet me personally to discuss the circumstances of this case? Secondly, is he aware that the hon. Gentleman the Member for Newton (Mr. Lee) gave me no notice that he was raising a question relating to a constituent of mine? Is he aware that the hon. Gentleman has been a Member of this House since 1945? Am I to accuse him of innocence merely or of carpet bagging?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not know about the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but I think that the first part is perfectly proper, and, of course, I will give my hon. Friend the undertaking that I will discuss with him a matter which concerns one of his constituents.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my hon. Friend the Member for Newton (Mr. Lee) was raising a point of principle and not merely a matter concerning a constituent of the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Stratton Mills)? As I understand it, two men are in detention now for one charge. Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman is now defending having two different men in detention in relation to the one charge?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am not defending that at all. I am merely saying that I cannot release Rifleman Robinson, about whom the Question was asked—and I am answering that Question—till I have substantiated the truth or otherwise of the other allegation. This has been referred by the Lord Chief Justice to the Army Council to deal with.
Mr. LeeWhereas he had to serve nine months, he has now served six 397 months of this period. How long must it be before he gets justice accorded to him? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Rifleman Robinson has now been told that he must remain in till the appeal, but that if he remains in till the appeal takes place in London, then by the time that happens he will have served the full sentence? Surely justice should be done more rapidly than this?
§ Mr. ProfumoI have given the undertaking that now that the matter has been referred by the Lord Chief Justice to the Army Council I and my colleagues will see that the procedures are carried out with the utmost despatch.