§ Mr. BROMFIELDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the case of Private Matthew Lowe?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Lowe was tried by court-martial on the 15th June, 1918, for deserting His Majesty's service when on active service. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour, and the sentence was suspended. On the 22nd October, 1918, he again deserted, and remained absent until the 15th November, 1918. For this offence he was awarded a sentence of 10 years' penal servitude. The circumstances of this latter offence were briefly that, the battalion to which Private Lowe belonged was ordered to fall in and proceed 2019W to the line. The accused was present with the battalion when it marched off, but when it reached the line he was found to have absented himself. He thereby abandoned his comrades and remained in security until surrendering himself after the Armistice. I have no information as to the date upon which he rejoined his unit from hospital, but in view of the fact that he was not sent to this country for medical treatment it may be assumed that his injuries were not of a serious nature. No evidence was given at the court-martial as to his medical history as this issue was not raised.
His sentence came under review in the War Office under the system with which this House is familiar, and such review was not the result of the action of any organisation, political or semi-political, or of any individual whatever. On the 30th October, 1919, a letter was despatched to the Governor of His Majesty's prison at Portland conveying to Private Lowe the information that, if his conduct while undergoing the sentence was satis factory, he would be released not later than the 28th November, 1920—a remission of 13 years out of a sentence of 15 years was thus made. A letter was written on the 20th January, 1920, in response to a communication from the mother informing her of the action which would be taken in regard to her son's case.
The sentences of soldiers are reviewed upon their merits, and the action of any organisation, political or semi-political, has no effect whatever upon the decisions which are come to. On the other hand, due consideration has been and will always be given in representations made on behalf of soldiers undergoing sentence from whatever source they may be received.