asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain S. L. Roxburgh of the Command Ordnance Depot, Colombo, has been in close arrest awaiting trial since March, 1947; that although his court martial started in October, no verdict has yet been given; and if he will take steps to expedite this matter.

I have called for further information about this case by cable from the military authorities overseas, and I will write to the hon. Member when it has been received.

How comes it that an officer can remain for seven months under close arrest before being brought to trial? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how that could possibly happen without questions being put asking for more urgent steps to be taken to look into the matter?

That is precisely what I am trying to find out.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the War Office was in ignorance of the fact that this officer was kept under close arrest as long as that?

I am informed that there was some difficulty about witnesses and the like. It is precisely because I am dissatisfied, and because a Question was put dow on the Order Paper, that I am trying to ascertain the facts.