HC Deb 27 July 1908 vol 193 cc859-60
CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state whether officers and men of the Territorial Force are exempt from serving on any jury, and whether this exemption extends to officers and men of special and extra special battalions of the late Militia; and, if not, can he say why this privilege has not been extended to them; and whether he is aware that considerable doubt exists on the matter at present, and causes confusion among those in authority.

MR. HALDANE

Officers and men of the Territorial Force are exempt from serving on any jury. Officers of the Special Reserve are exempt from jury service when on full pay. Non-commissioned officers and men of the Special Reserve are exempt from jury service when subject to military law. The Special Reserve are treated exactly as the Militia, and I am not aware of any doubt or confusion on the subject.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in several instances lately men while out on training were called on for jury service and informed that they were not exempted? Will the right hon. Gentleman have this answer circulated for the information of all commanding officers?

MR. HALDANE

said he thought the mention of the matter in that House would suffice.

MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to place the senior service on an equality in this matter with the junior service?

MR. HALDANE

We are simply carrying out old traditions.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is it not the fact that in one case the men are exempt all the year round and in the other only while on service?

MR. HALDANE

was understood to reply that the Territorial Officer was doing duty all the year round, while the Special Reserve was only on service at certain periods.

MR. MOORE (Armagh, N.)

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that all members of His Majesty's Forces have the same privileges in this respect?

MR. HALDANE

It must be borne in mind that the more numerous the exemptions the greater is the burden on the rest of the community.