§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons Major Graham Carruthers was given immunity in respect of the recent court martial of Major Peter Kennedy earlier in December.
§ Mr. SoamesAny witness giving evidence in civil or criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom is entitled to refuse to answer any question if the answer to the question might incriminate him or her and might be used in criminal proceedings against him or her. In this case, an allegation of a technical assault on Major Kennedy by Major Carruthers could have been made. To avoid any suggestion at the trial of Major Kennedy that Major Carruthers might therefore be inhibited from giving evidence on the grounds that he might incriminate himself, the normal practice was adopted of his commanding officer condoning that allegation.