§ 4. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether Section 4 of the new Army Bill applies Subsection 108 a (7) of the Army Act to the Women's Auxiliary Corps, which has hitherto been required to obey commands only within its own organisation; if so, why it has been necessary to require from it obedience to officers in the Army; whether the billeting powers required could not have been provided by the Defence of the Realm Act; and whether women enrolled by the Army Council are now subject to military law, as defined in Section 176 (10) of the Army Act?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWith reference to the first part of the question, Section 108 a (7) of the Army Act is applicable to members of Queen Mary's Auxiliary Army Corps, though it is not intended in fact to apply it in their case. The statement in. this part of the question that that corps has hitherto been required to obey commands only within, its own organisation is-not correct. As the corps is employed by the Army Council, it has always been required to obey orders of the Army Council. Its liability in this respect is not affected by the Army (Annual) Act, 1918. With regard to the second part of the question, it was considered that the best course was to utilise the existing machinery and provisions under the Army Act. With regard to the third part of the question, women enrolled by the Army Council are now, and were already prior to the Army (Annual) Act, 1918, subject to military law under Section 176 (9) or (10) of 1383 the Army Act when employed by or in the service of His Majesty's troops when employed on active service, and when followers of or accompanying His Majesty's troops or any portion thereof on active service. Their liability in this respect is not affected by the new Act.