§ Mr. PRATTasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the trial of a private of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, aged seventeen, at the Yorkshire Assizes, on the 20th instant and to the comments of the presiding judge in passing sentence; and whether he proposes to take any steps to protect young boys in the Army from temptations to excessive drinking in the regimental canteens?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy attention had previously been called to the comments of the learned judge when passing sentence. Inquiry is being made as to the circumstances under which the evidence upon which the learned judge based his remarks was tendered in view of the most adequate safeguards which are laid down674W in the Rules for the Management of Garrison and Regimental Institutes, and I can only say that the evidence which the officer gave appears to me to have been based upon a complete ignorance of the conditions under which regimental canteens are or should be conducted. As soon as I am in possession of further information I will send the hon. Member further details.