§ Mr. G. Balfourasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the circumstances in which Mrs. C. W. Loveridge, and members of her household, were arrested by the military authorities; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on the matter?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. These arrests were carried out on the night of 1st July, and the parties concerned were released as soon as it became clear that there had been a misunderstanding. The commanding officer of the unit involved made a personal apology to Mr. Loveridge for the inconvenience and annoyance to which he and his household were subjected. I am glad to have this opportunity of adding my own expression of regret for this unfortunate affair, and I would like to say that no shadow of suspicion attaches to these persons and no ground whatever exists for questioning their integrity or loyalty. The circumstances in which they came to be arrested are being made the subject of close inquiry with a view to ensuring that there shall be no repetition of such an incident.