16.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the rule to review, every three months, as in the case of other ranks, the sentences of officers who are imprisoned in a civil prison as the result of trial by military court-martial; and whether it is the practice to call up such individuals for military service upon their release after having served their sentence?
A sentence of imprisonment imposed on an officer is usually reviewed in the War Office within a few weeks of its promulgation and thereafter every six months from the beginning of the sentence. I am informed that the answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes, Sir."
In cases where the sentences were imposed for something akin to an indiscretion, will the right hon. Gentleman consider a further remission to enable these ex-officers to go and fight overseas?
The particular case to which the hon. Member refers—which is a case with which I am very familiar—was a great deal worse than an indiscretion.
Does the date of calling-up papers coincide with the date of release from prison?
I cannot say.