§ Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for War how often the cases of men in civil prisons for military offences are reviewed by him; how many sentences have been remitted or reduced; and the date of the last review of such cases.
§ Mr. LawsonSoldiers under sentence as the result of convictions by courts-martial have their cases reviewed auotmatically, by the appropriate reviewing authority, at intervals not exceeding six months, whether in civil or in military custody, and whatever the nature of their offence. In addition such cases are reviewed as a2262W result of petitions, and when representations are received which appear to warrant further consideration of the case by the reviewing authority.
As I recently informed the House, a special review is now being carried out of the cases of all soldiers under sentence for purely military offences. This special review has already resulted in the release of over 50 per cent. of the men who were serving sentence in civil or military custody in this country on VJ-Day. It is not possible to give the date of the last review of such cases, as the date differs in each individual case.