Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Under-Secretary for War if his attention has been called to the case of Private H. Watkinson, No. 2,989, 5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who, because he refused to do some painting work when ordered by one of his officers because he was refused any 298W extra pay for it, and who for so refusing was sentenced by a court-martial to forty-two days' detention in Lewes Gaol, his pay also being stopped, causing suffering to his wife and family; and whether in circumstances like these he will take steps to prevent the family of a soldier being punished for an offence they could not prevent?
§ Mr. TENNANTMy attention had not previously been called to this case, and I cannot undertake to interfere with the sentence passed by the court-martial, which is subject to review in the ordinary course by the authorities duly constituted for the purpose. Forfeiture of the pay of a soldier convicted by court-martial follows by Act of Parliament.