§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that there is enough supervision in the Army over non-commissioned officers to ensure that bullying and cruelty to young newly-joined recruits is not practised.
§ Mr. StracheyI am satisfied that normally sufficient supervision is exercised over non-commissioned officers. A recent case has, however, occurred in which a non-commissioned officer was found to have ill-treated young soldiers in his immediate charge. Investigations are being made into the conditions within the unit which made this conduct possible. I should emphasise that any soldier who considers that be has been 139W subjected to unfair treatment has a right of complaint to his commanding officer and up to the general officer commanding-in-chief, if necessary. The attention of all ranks is periodically drawn to this right.