HC Deb 14 July 1961 vol 644 cc83-8W
Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, joined Her Majesty's forces; what was the date of the medical examination; by whom it was conducted; and whether he will supply the hon. Member for Oldham, West, with a copy of the findings.

Mr. Profumo

This soldier enlisted in the Regular army on the 26th July, 1957. He had a medical examination on 24th June before he joined, and another on 2nd August. Both found him perfectly fit except for a slight degree of colour blindness, and he was assessed as Grade I. I cannot, without a great deal of research. say whether these examinations were conducted by a Ministry of Labour recruiting board or by a recruiting medical officer. The proceedings of these examinations are confidential, and I cannot supply a copy of them.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, was ordered for service in Cyprus; how long he served there; and what was the nature of his conduct report.

Mr. Profumo

The soldier emplaned for service in Cyprus on the 26th June, 1958, and served there for just under eight months. During this time he was twice convicted for disobeying orders whilst on active service.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, first applied far a discharge by purchase; when he was told how much money would be necessary for purchase of discharge; and what was the amount.

Mr. Profumo

The soldier applied for discharge by purchase on 26th April, 1961, certifying that no previous application had been made. He was told at the time that the price would be £200.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, was absent from duty without leave, following the failure to raise the money required to purchase his discharge, and that the craftsman, on the advice of his mother, voluntarily returned to duty; and whether he has now received a report from the local army welfare officer on this matter.

Mr. Profumo

I am aware of the circumstances of this soldier's absence from duty, and his surrender to the military power. I have seen a report from the Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association on this case.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will supply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West, a full list of the charges upon which the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, was court martialled; how many charges were proceeded with; in respect of what charge he was finally convicted; and how the other charges were disposed of.

Mr. Profumo

This soldier was charged with desertion. He pleaded not guilty to this charge but guilty of absence without leave.

The court accepted his plea and found him guilty of absence from 25th July, 1960, to 22nd March, 1961.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date he informed the hon. Member for Oldham, West, that he would keep him informed of the court martial proceedings against the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied; how long a period elapsed after the court martial before he was informed of the result; and when he informed the hon. Member for Oldham, West.

Mr. Profumo

My hon. Friend undertook that we would keep the hon. Member in touch in his letter of 5th April. I wrote to him myself on 20th May and 6th July. My hon. Friend also wrote to him on 30th May. In my letter of 20th April I informed the hon. Gentleman that the soldier was to be tried by court martial; this was held on 5th May, and the findings were promulgated on 17th May. My hon. Friend informed the hon. Member of the outcome in his letter to him of 30th May; and I wrote a further letter to him on 6th July.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War, in how many cases in the last twelve months to the most recent convenient date a sentence of nine months' imprisonment has been imposed for absence without leave.

Mr. Profumo

Four—imprisonment and detention.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War by what higher authorities the sentence, imposed upon an Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer craftsman, whose name has been submitted to him, was considered, following the court martial proceedings; and with what result.

Mr. Profumo

By the Judge Advocate General, who intimated that they were legally in order and that the findings and sentence could be confirmed. They were, in consequence, confirmed by the Commander, Dorset Sub-District, and have since been reviewed by the General Officer Commanding, Aldershot District.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been submitted to him, applied for legal aid for his defence at the trial by court martial; when, and by whom, the application was refused; and on what grounds.

Mr. Profumo

On 26th April, 1961. The application was refused by the Director of Army Legal Services on 1st May, 1961, because it is not customary to give legal aid to cases of this type.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions in the last twelve months, to the most recent convenient date for computation, a sentence exceeding six months' imprisonment has been imposed upon a soldier who has been refused legal aid.

Mr. Profumo

Eleven—imprisonment and detention.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, was recently transferred to hospital for some days during which treatment was prescribed for his bladder condition; and on what grounds, and by whose order, this treatment was countermanded on his return from hospital.

Mr. Profumo

I am investigating the facts of this case.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise the hon. Member for Oldham, West, to visit the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, at the hospital where he is at present under treatment.

Mr. Profumo

The soldier has now been discharged from hospital, but I shall of course be happy for the hon. Member to visit him at any convenient time.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War why it was decided not to inform the hon. Member for Oldham, West, that his constituent, on whose behalf he had been in constant touch with his Department and who is a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied, had been refused legal aid.

Mr. Profumo

Because there was nothing abnormal about this procedure.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War when it was first ascertained that the Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him, was suffering from enuresis.

Mr. Profumo

This soldier first reported sick complaining of enuresis on the 2nd June, 1961.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War when the report of a competent psychiatrist was first obtained in relation to an Oldham Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers craftsman, whose name has been supplied to him; what was the nature of his conclusions; and what action has been taken.

Mr. Profumo

The soldier has not yet been examined by a psychiatrist.

Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances, and by what authority, an order to detail soldiers to wake up a patient suffering from enuresis each hour throughout the night is given; and whether there is any limit to the number of consecutive nights upon which such an order can be enforced.

Mr. Profumo

I am investigating these circumstances.