§ 117. Mr. Irvineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the outcome of the representations which have been made to the Italian authorities for the handing back of Driver J. J. Clayton, 65 Company, Royal Army Service Corps, at present undergoing a sentence of imprisonment in Padua, to the British military authorities in Trieste.
§ Mr. NuttingDriver Clayton was stationed in Trieste and has no special status in Italy while absent there without leave. He is subject there to Italian law like any civilian. Her Majesty's Consul at Venice discussed this case with the authorities at Padua, but Driver Clayton had pleaded guilty to an offence and declined to appeal at the proper time against the minimum sentence imposed on him.
After full reports had been received it was decided that there was no possibility of making any further approach to the Italian authorities on his behalf.