HC Deb 05 March 1946 vol 420 cc33-4W
84. Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to furnish a reply to the letters from the hon. Member for the Rugby division of Warwick, dated 1st November, 29th November, 27th December, 21st January and 28th January, in regard to the case of 904313 Private Salisbury.

Mr. Lawson

I regret no trace has been found of the hon. Member's letters of 1st November and 29th November. A reply was, however, sent to his other letters on this case yesterday.

107. Mr. Champion

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will expedite the holding of the court martial, for which 7612334 Corporal C. J. Neilson, is being detained as a witness beyond the release date for his age and Service group.

Mr. Lawson

I am making inquiries about this case and as soon as they are completed I will write to my hon. Friend.

110. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take to amend the A.B.64, Part 2, particulars of character of the soldier whose name was indicated to him in a letter from the junior Member for Oldham, dated 24th January, 1946; and to arrange for an apology to the man concerned.

Mr. Lawson

Steps have now been taken to re-write this soldier's testimonial and to amend the assessment of his military conduct. I very much regret that the regulations on this subject were not properly carried out in the first place. Details of the case have been brought to the notice of the Command concerned so that appropriate action can be taken.

117. Lieut.-Colonel Sharp

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14599300 Staff-Sergeant A. Ramsbottom, the joint owner of a small business in the building trade, whose application for a C class release was brought to the attention of his Department by the hon. Member for Spen Valley on 17th October, War Office reference B/5349, is not considered eligible for such release.

Mr. Lawson

This case has been very carefully considered in the light of all the available facts, and I regret that I cannot agree to this soldier's release under Class C. There are a large number of cases of a similar type where applications for Class C release from overseas have had to be turned down and it would not be possible to make a special exception in this case.

119. Mr. Anthony Nutting

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to institute an inquiry into the severe beating of 14854831 Private I. Pacey, Leicestershire Regiment, by members of the military police, in December, 1945.

Mr. Lawson

A court of inquiry has been held to investigate this matter. After careful consideration of the proceedings of the Court by both the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command concerned and the War Office the conclusion has been reached that the injuries sustained by this soldier were caused by his falling from a stationery truck. The allegation that he was assaulted by members of the Corps of Military Police has not been substantiated.