HC Deb 02 March 1922 vol 151 cc588-9W
Major BARNES

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that on the 15th instant, after the police had been informed verbally and in writing by his solicitors that he was lawfully at home by permission of the military authorities, Mr. Daniel Rappaport was arrested at his residence shortly before midnight by officers of the Metropolitan police on a charge of alleged desertion from the Royal Army Service Corps in 1917, taken away from his wife and family to Upper Street station, refused bail, imprisoned in a cell all night, brought up at Clerkenwell police court next day, and ultimately discharged by the magistrate without any evidence being offered against him; and if steps will be taken to prevent other cases of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment under war-time procedure?

Mr. SHORTT

The police having received notice that Mr. Rappaport was a deserter from the Royal Army Service Corps, it was their duty to arrest him and bring him before a magistrate at the first opportunity. Any inquiry as to the justice of the charge or the reasons for withdrawing it should be addressed to the War Office.