§ SIR CHARLES DILKETo ask the Secretary of State for War if he will explain the reasons which make it necessary to proceed by separate legislation in the matter of sailors' and soldiers' false characters, rather than by amendment of the powers, in respect of false statements in connection with the entry into the naval and military forces of the Crown, conferred by the Army Act.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This Bill is identical with the Bill which was introduced last session. It is in- 834 tended to provide for the punishment of persons who cannot be dealt with by the Army Act, e.g., (1) a discharged seaman or soldier; (2) a man desirous of becoming a seaman or soldier; (3) a person who gives either of the above a false character or statement. I may add that the chief object of the Bill is to deal with the last class.