Captain COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, if a man is courtmartialled and convicted, but his conviction is ultimately quashed, he forfeits his right to war gratuity; and, if not, whether he will cause gratuity to be paid to Private B. M. Gates, No. 526,684, late Labour Corps, previously No. 7,290, Norfolk Regiment, whose conviction was quashed, on the ground that he was not responsible for his actions?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThis man was convicted of desertion on 7th July, 1917, and forfeited all service prior to that date. The sentence of imprisonment then awarded was subsequently remitted, but the conviction was-not quashed. As he went to farm work on 7th January, 1918, the period of service counting for War gratuity was less than one year. He was therefore eligible for a War gratuity of £5 only, which sum was duly credited to him.