§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that Service men under punishment are not put on fatigues where they come in contact with the general public.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithIt is the practice that Service men under punishment carry out work or training within the Service establishment in which they are serving their sentences. They should not, therefore, come into contact with the general public. The hon. Member may be referring to an article and photograph in theSunday Mirror of 3rd February. On this exceptional occasion, two junior infantrymen serving sentences of detention were employed clearing up storm debris which was blocking drains in the roadway immediately outside the main entrance of the R.A.O.C. Training Centre at Blackdown. I have called for a full report on this matter.