§ Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to give concerning Joseph Walden, of 862W Bristol, who was court-martialled and in Gosport military prison; whether, during his confinement, Joseph Walden, though kindly treated by the authorities, was in solitary confinement on bread and water diet and then showed signs of his mental and nervous power failing; whether the chaplain appealed to him to give way as the only means to preserve his health of body and mind; and whether this man has been or will be sent home to Bristol on leave so as to save him from a complete collapse?
§ Mr. TENNANTThis man was sentenced by court-martial held at Weymouth on the 5th May to 112 days' detention. He is afforded the same medical attendance and treatment as is granted to other soldiers under sentence. A sentence of detention does not in itself entail the punishment of solitary confinement and diet restrictions, unless the offender has to be punished whilst in detention barracks. The punishments which are then inflicted are laid down in the Rules for Military Detention Barracks and Military Prisons.