§ 98. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his policy to discharge Regular soldiers who while serving are convicted of serious offences by the civil power.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhere the conviction is for a serious offence committed during Army service, and a long prison sentence is awarded, discharge is carried out while the soldier is serving his sentence so that he does not return to the Army. In the case of shorter prison sentences, that is, less than two years, each case is considered on its merits. The first civil conviction incurred while in the Army may disclose a hitherto unknown police record which shows the soldier to be an habitual offender. Such men are not wanted in the Regular Army and are discharged.