Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 2 April 1947.
Mr Marcus Lipton
, Lambeth Brixton
12:00,
2 April 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Air why 147713 Corporal R. Houghton, due for release on 1st March, 1947, has not yet been demobilised.
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
Corporal Houghton was kept in Italy because he was needed as a witness at a court of inquiry. I am glad to tell my hon. Friend, however, that he left Italy for the United Kingdom two days ago and that he will shortly be released.
Mr Marcus Lipton
, Lambeth Brixton
Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that it was necessary to delay the release of this corporal, who was one of 15 witnesses at a court of inquiry into an event which took place on 14th January last?
Mr Philip Noel-Baker
, Derby
Yes, Sir. I have inquired into that, and I am satisfied it was necessary to keep them.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
That is entirely for the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).
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