§ Sir W. BYLESasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Ernest Richard Bowyer, No. 290,739, 1/7th Battalion Welsh Regiment, belonging to North Salford, but now stationed at Marton Hall, Yorkshire, has lately been punished by being confined to barracks without pay for one month and given field punishment No. 1, which means being handcuffed and tied to a tree for two hours each day; whether he is aware that this young soldier is only sixteen years of age and three months and has served a year with the Colours, and that his offence was that he overstayed nis first leave; and whether he will take steps to prevent punishments of these kinds to lads of sixteen years of age?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am sorry that the inquiries which were instituted are not yet complete; I will inform my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.