HC Deb 05 April 1875 vol 223 cc353-4

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clauses 1 to 17, inclusive, agreed to.

CAPTAIN PIM, in moving, after Clause 17, to insert the following clause:—

(Trials by court martial.)

(18.) In all trials by Court Martial the prisoner, should he desire it, may have the assistance of attorney and counsel, and, should the President consider it advisable, the services of a shorthand writer may be obtained to assist the Judge Advocate in recording the proceedings, said, he did so with the view of simplifying the proceedings.

MR. HUNT

said, if it were desirable in certain cases to secure the attendance of a shorthand writer, there would be no difficulty in making a regulation authorizing the President to employ one, and it was not necessary, therefore, to insert such a provision in the Act of Parliament. His hon. and gallant Friend must, however, know very well that in many cases of courts martial no shorthand writer could be found. As to the proposal that the prisoners should have the benefit of attorney and counsel, he could not accede to it, as it would entirely alter the character of the inquiry, and would render it necessary for the Court likewise to be assisted by legal advice, which in many instances could not be procured.

Clause negatived.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

Bill reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time To-morrow.