§ Mr. Palmerasked the Secretary of State for War the circumstances in which 6097311 Private R. Beasley, Gordon Highlanders, who surrendered to the authorities before 31st March, 1947, under the terms offered to deserters, is now confined in Wormwood Scrubs Prison under a sentence of three years' penal servitude, and about which the hon. Member for Wimbledon wrote to him on 12th May.
§ Mr. BellengerThis soldier, who absented himself from a draft proceeding on active duty at a time when fighting was most severe, was tried by court-martial in B.A.O.R. and found guilty of desertion from 18th July, 1944, until 12th March, 1947. He has recently been transferred to the United Kingdom and his sentence will be reviewed at the War Office and will receive the special consideration given to deserters who surrendered themselves in response to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.