§ 21. Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the announcement of the Minister of Defence, Australia, that the proceedings of the Australian courts-martial abroad will in future be reviewed by a committee appointed in Australia with power to recommend remissions; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of giving British soldiers enlisted at Home the same security against the possible miscarriage of justice whilst they are on active service?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware of any such statement having been made by the Minister of Defence, Australia, but presume it relates to Australian soldiers who have returned to Australia to undergo sentence, and thus have passed out of the jurisdiction of the British military authorities. With regard to the latter part of the 2657 question, the proceedings of courts-martial, whether at home or abroad, are reviewed by the Judge Advocate-General, London, and, if considered desirable, are submitted by him to the Secretary of State for reconsideration. This is additional to a series of most careful reviews by the various intermediary authorities through whom the proceedings pass.