SIR GEORGE LEWISmoved for leave to bring in a Bill for the more speedy trial of certain homicides committed by persons subject to the Mutiny Act, and for giving jurisdiction to the Central Criminal Court to inquire into such homicides. The measure was intended to meet such a class of cases as had occurred frequently of late—namely, the murder of officers of the army by privates. Various plans had been under the consideration of the Government for the amendment of the law applicable to such crimes. On the whole, however, they did not think it desirable to do more than to take steps to accelerate the course of justice in such cases. There was already an act by which any criminal case could be removed to the Central Criminal Court, where the sessions were held monthly; but that Act was limited to cases where bills of indictment had been found by grand juries. The present measure was intended to adapt the provisions of the Act to those military crimes, but to provide that when a prisoner had been committed to prison on the warrant of a magistrate, such party might be tried at the Central Criminal Court without waiting for the finding of a bill of indictment by a grand jury.
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Leave given.
Bill for the more speedy trial of certain Homicides committed by persons subject to the Mutiny Act, and for giving Jurisdiction to the Central Criminal Court to inquire into such Homicides, ordered to be brought in by Sir GEORGE LEWIS and Mr. ATTORNEY GENERAL.
§ Bill presented, and read 1o, to be read 2o on Thursday 29th May, and to be printed [Bill 129].