§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on Sunday night, 2nd November last, there was an outbreak of disorder among the Royal Air Force men at Henlow station; that whilst the disturbance was being dealt with by the non-commissioned officers, a number of men concerned entered hut No. 21 whilst the proper occupants were in bed and asleep; that following the occurrence a number of the latter were picked out and charged with inciting to mutiny and other counts, and without their defence being considered were sentenced to detention at Wandsworth and loss of grade; that such punishment has caused indignation and discontent; and if he will order an inquiry into the matter with a view to justice being done to innocent men?
Captain GUESTThe answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the affirmative; to the second part, that the men who caused the disorder were rounded up in hut No. 21; to the third part, that these men were brought before the Commanding Officer, and that none of them were dealt with without their defence being considered. Four men were tried by general court-martial, eleven elected to be tried by district court-martial and have already been brought to trial, and the remainder were dealt with summarily. I am not aware that indignation and discontent has been caused by the way in which this outbreak has been dealt with. If the hon. Member has any reason to believe some or any of the men who were in bed and asleep have been punished unjustly and will furnish me with the names, I will have that matter inquired into.