§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Secretary of State for War and Air if he is aware 1055W that since the Armistice Private H. A. Woods, No. 338568, Royal Army Service Corps, B.M.T.D., France, was sentenced by a field court-martial to six months' hard labour for overstaying his leave, and is now serving this sentence in France; that this man was not represented at the court-martial; that the facts in regard to his case were not brought before the attention of the court-martial; and that if it were not for this sentence this man would now be demobilised from the Army; and whether, seeing that in this case the man's business will be gone by the time he has served his sentence, and in view of the suffering imposed on his wife and children, he can see his way to immediately investigate the matter in order that the sentence may, if possible, be minimised?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLPrivate Woods deserted when on leave and remained absent for ten months. He was tried by field general court-martial on a charge of desertion and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. The sentence was commuted to one of detention, and Private Woods was transferred to Stafford detention barracks, where he is now serving his sentence. It is correct that Private Woods was not represented by counsel at the court-martial, but he made no complaint, and all the facts were before the court. I regret that I am unable to interfere with the sentence, but I may say that by good conduct he will be able to earn a substantial remission.