§ MR. H. D. GREENE (Shrewsbury)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Criminal Evidence Act has been applied to courts-martial under the Naval Discipline Act, so as to enable sailors charged with offences to give evidence in their own defence, or whether it is intended to withhold from Her Majesty's Naval Forces this privilege which has been extended to civilians and soldiers since 1898.
MR. GOSCHENThere has been a great objection to change well-established custom in the proceedings of Naval courts-martial. No steps have yet been taken to apply to them the rules of the Criminal Evidence Act, but I will consult my Naval colleagues on the subject.