COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 14 March 1859)

§ SIR CHARLES NAPIER
said, he thought this would be a good opportunity of throwing out a suggestion to the right hon. Baronet, namely, whether it would not be bettor on all occasions when complaints were brought against a sailor that the captain should be directed to order an inquiry to be made by some other officers of the ship. It was very often a painful thing for the captain, who had the power of remitting punishment, to insist upon the punishment being carried out in the discharge of his duty, which would not arise if, in all cases, a ship court-martial were to pass sentence upon the offender. In making these observations he did not wish it to be thought that he was at all of opinion that the amount of flogging in the navy was excessive.

§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTON
observed, that the hon. and gallant Admiral was not strictly in order, inasmuch as this Bill related merely to sailors whilst on shore; but he begged to assure the hon. and gallant Admiral that the whole subject of naval courts-martial was under the consideration of the Government.

GENERAL CODRINGTON
said, he desired to ask whether the Marine Mutiny Act relating to sailors on shore would contain the same provisions as the former Mutiny Bill?

MR. CORRY
said, that no alteration was proposed to the billeting of sailors on shore.