§ 56. Mr. Victor Yatesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware that ex-Craftsman B. Holliday, 2299903, of Duddeston, Birmingham, was charged with failing to attend a muster parade in February, 1964, found guilty and sentenced to a punishment which led to his reduction to the ranks, and that this conviction was later quashed; why he was permitted to buy himself out of the Army before the punishment was erased from his record; and why his commanding officer has since declined to give him a reference, although he left the Army with an exemplary character.
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§ Mr. ReynoldsI am aware of the facts of the case. As I have explained to my hon. Friend, Craftsman Holliday was reduced to the ranks because he was considered unsuitable to continue as a non-commissioned officer. A soldier is given a conduct grading and a testimonial on leaving the Army and there is no obligation upon his officers to provide any other reference.