§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
645§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)This Bill arises out of the Geneva Convention which met in 1906, and the actual matter was first raised by our own Minister at Berne, under the directions of Lord Lansdowne. In a letter which he addressed to the President of the Swiss Republic, he said:—
The Red Cross flag and armlet prescribed by Article VII. of the Convention are, in most countries, not protected by legislation, and their employment is open to serious abuse. Having regard to this abuse, the British military authorities are of opinion that authority to use the Red Cross flag and badge should be granted only to specified naval and military departments; that the unauthorised use should be subject to heavy penalties; and that improper, fraudulent or dishonourable employment of the flag or badge by authorised persons should be subject to severe punishment.On that letter the matter was brought before the Geneva Convention, and it was unanimously decided that measures should be taken to prevent fraudulent or dishonourable employment of the flag, and to limit it entirely to the Red Cross Societies which assist the sick and wounded in time of war. All the great Powers except two have passed the necessary legislation, namely, Austria, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the United States. France has introduced a Bill which I think has not yet passed through all its stages. We have also to fulfil our part of the bargain, which no doubt the House will be willing and indeed anxious to do, seeing that it was at our instigation that this necessary reform was first suggested. Turkey has not yet completed her adhesion, owing to the difficulty of the acknowledgment of the Red Crescent, but that does not affect its binding nature upon us. The Bill consists of only two Clauses, and it will be seen that while penalties are provided for the improper use of the Red Cross, in the third Sub-section the time of four years is given to those who have been in the habit hitherto of using this emblem. I trust the House will give its assent to the Second Reading of the Bill, as it will fulfil our obligations to the other great Powers of the world and will, of course, help forward to a certain degree the great work of the Red Cross.
§ Question, "That the Bill be now read a second time," put, and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read a second time, and committed to Committee of the Whole House for Monday next.