HC Deb 03 July 1963 vol 680 cc367-9
25. Mr. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a statement on the inquiry into Major Cory's court-martial.

Mr. Godber

I have nothing to add to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Gentleman on 26th June.

Mr. Morris

Is the Secretary of State aware that it is more than two months—it was on 24th April—since his predecessor announced that the Lord Chancellor had commenced setting up an inquiry? Can he tell us when the inquiry actually commenced and who was appointed to conduct it? Is it still possible, in the meantime, for a soldier of whatever rank to have to wait 17 months for his appeal to be heard? In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman now place the transcript of this astonishing court-martial, which lasted 43 days—it has been described as astonishing by the Court of Appeal—in the Library?

Mr. Godber

On the last point, I think we must await the report of the inquiry which my predecessor set up with my learned and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. It was because of the unsatisfactory nature of the matter that the inquiry was set up. I must ask the House to await that report. I am sorry that it has taken so long, but I am told that it is now in its final stages and I hope we shall not have long to wait.

Mr. Paget

Was not a feature of these very shocking proceedings, as they doubtless were, the extent of the delay? Is it not rather regrettable that the delay should be continued even at this point?

Mr. Godber

That may well have been one of the points. The hon. Member for Aberavon (Mr. Morris) made a point about the length of the proceedings a moment ago. However, if an inquiry is to have its effect, it must study every aspect of what is, in this case, a very involved matter.

Mr. Kershaw

Is it not the case that the Courts-Martial Appeal Court has only 16 cases a year? How does it come about that it must delay six months before hearing one case?

Mr. Godber

I would rather not say more until I get the report.

Mr. Morris

Without pressing the Minister any further about the details of the inquiry, may I ask him to tell us when the inquiry was set up and who was appointed to conduct it?

Mr. Godber

If the hon. Gentleman will put a Question on the Order Paper about that, I shall be happy to tell him.

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