§ Sir W. Allenasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that the general officer commanding-inchief, Western Command, India, on 3rd November, 1933, laid an information against Major H. R. Sandford, R.E., to the superintendent of police, QuettaPishin, Quetta, alleging an offence against the Indian penal code; and whether he will ask for a report on the matter.
(2) whether he is aware that, as the result of certain information laid against Major Sandford, R.E., by the general officer commanding-in-chief, Western Command, India, on 3rd November, 1933, Major Sandford and one Captain A. N. Youett were arrested by the civil police and charged, the former under Sections 420 and 471 of the Indian Police Civil Code and the latter under Sections 430, 109, and 468; will he state whether Major Sandford was brought before a magistrate in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act, India, 1898; and, if not, will he state why the provisions of this Act were not complied with and how the charge against Captain Youett was disposed of, and by whom?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI am aware that a case was originally filed against Major Sandford in the Magistrate's Court at Quetta. The War Office has been in possession of an official report on the matter referred to since September, 1934. This report shows that the Magistrate referred the case of Major Sandford to the Military authorities who claimed him for trial by Court-Martial. I am not aware that any provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure (India), 1898, was not complied with. The charge preferred against Captain Youett in the Civil Court was withdrawn by the police for reasons which were explained to my hon. and gallant Friend in a letter addressed to him by my predecessor on the 1st of February, 1935. I see no reason for asking for any further report.