§ Mr. MACLEANasked the Secretary of State for War whether any amnesty has been granted to those who deserted during 1476W the War; and, if not, whether it is his intention to offer an amnesty?
§ Mr. WALSHThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the latter part, I am not prepared to dispense altogether, by a general amnesty, with the right to try and punish men, in serious and special cases, for the grave military offence of desertion. The normal practice, however, has for long been to discharge the deserter without resorting to trial and without withdrawing him from his civil employment. I see no reason to vary this general policy, but I can undertake to consider sympathetically any particular case which does not appear to be covered by it