Mr. C. WASONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the fact that recently Driver Graham, serving with the 30th Division in France, of Dumfries, was accused of very slightly exceeding the speed limit and was convicted, on the sworn evidence of a corporal and a private, and that the field court-martial awarded ninety days' field punishment, entailing being strapped to a wagon in full view of the troops for two hours a day, and also the loss of ninety days' pay and the loss to the man's wife of his allotment; and whether he proposes, or is it within his power, to take any disciplinary action against the field court-martial?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe court-martial was quite within its rights in awarding the punishment named. There is no power to take disciplinary action against any court-martial. Very strict Regulations have been laid down to prevent reckless driving in France—the authorities there having had their attention called to a number of cases where children had been injured owing to this cause. These Regulations must be maintained and any infringement will be severely punished, as in this case.