HL Deb 20 April 1948 vol 155 cc241-2

6.47 p.m.

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

LORD WALKDEN

My Lords, I understand that it has been arranged that our proceedings to-day on the Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill should be more or less of a formal nature, and that the debate should take place on the Committee stage next Monday. Therefore, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Nathan, who is unfortunately unable to be here this afternoon, owing to a very urgent engagement elsewhere, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2ª.—(Lord Walkden.)

VISCOUNT BRIDGEMAN

My Lords, we quite agree that the debate on the Second Reading of this Bill should be short, but we are, in fact, not quite happy about Clauses 6 and 10. With regard to Clause 6, which provides for the Amendment of Section 158 of the Army Act, it is doubtful in our view whether it goes far enough to deal with the position with which it is intended to deal. As to Clause 10, which makes provision with respect to transfers between corps, some of my noble friends feel that a case for that very sweeping clause has not been made out. It is thought by some of us that those responsible for this clause might well have a further look at it. I give the noble Lord notice now that we shall raise these two matters on the Committee stage.

There is one further matter which is not entirely formal, and there is some doubt as to whether it could properly be mentioned on the Committee stage. This year's Army and Air Force (Annual) Bill is a comparatively simple measure, but I understand that the Lewis Committee on Court-Martial Procedure in the Army and the Royal Air Force have reached a very advanced stage indeed in their deliberations, and therefore, between now and the introduction of next year's Bill, there should be plenty of time to study the Report of that Committee and, one would hope, to give effect to its recommendations. I mention this now because Parliamentary time is not easy to come by. I also mention it in the hope that the Report, when received, will not be delayed by long discussion between Departments, because I feel that its recommendations ought to be implemented before very long—by next year, if possible. Therefore, I hope that not only will consideration of the Report be expedited, but that he noble and learned Viscount who sits on the Woolsack (to whom I have mentioned this) may possibly be able to find the Parliamentary draftsmen whom it will be necessary to employ to deal with the matter. With those few words, may I say that I support the Motion for the Second Reading of this Bill?

On Question, Bill read 2ª, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.