§ Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Gunner Alfred Ernest Dorey, No. 58W 28522, 111th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, has just been tried by court-martial for desertion arising from his failure to return from leave at home to his battery at the front in July, 1917, and sentenced to three years' penal servitude; that prior to taking part in the heavy actions at Arras and Messines he had been sent down from the front by the medical officer for a complete rest in consequence of his neurasthenia; that at the trial his battery quartermaster-sergeant gave evidence that Dorey had served continuously at the front from October, 1914, until he went on leave in July, 1917, and had several bad shakings-up as the result of which his nerves had given way; that the medical officer who examined him during the adjournment of the court-martial gave evidence that the prisoner was still suffering from nervous debility; and that his nervous condition was quite consistent with his plea that he was not responsible for his action in deserting; and whether, in view of all these circumstances, added to the fact that prior to his desertion Dorey had served continuously for nearly twelve years with the Colours, including two years and nine months on active service, and had not a single entry on his field service conduct sheet, he is prepared to consider a revision of this sentence as a special case?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am making inquiries, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result. I would add that my inquiries may take some little time as the proceedings may not yet have reached this country.