HC Deb 25 October 1950 vol 478 cc363-4W
Brigadier Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give instructions that when a National Service airman under the age of 21 years of age is to be tried by court martial or a civil court that the next of kin are informed.

Mr. A. Henderson

No. While every encouragement is given to young airmen to inform their parents or relatives if they are in trouble of this kind, I consider that it is the airman's right to decide himself whether they should be told. I am, however, considering whether there should not be some alteration in our present practice in cases where a man is to be tried on a capital charge.