HC Deb 01 April 1925 vol 182 cc1349-421

Considered in Committee.

[Mr. JAMES HOPE in the Chair.]

Mr. MACPHERSON

On a point of Order. As you, Sir, will see, there are on the Order Paper no fewer than eight Amendments dealing with the same subject, namely, the application of the death penalty to military offences. I think it would be for the convenience of the Committee if you would say whether we could have a discussion upon one of the Amendments, and, if need be, vote upon the others, without discussion.

The CHAIRMAN

I think it would be very desirable that a discussion on so important a matter as the death penalty should not be limited by its being considered in connection with any particular circumstances, and therefore, on the first of the Amendments touching this matter, I should be prepared to allow a general discussion on the question of the application of the death penalty. Of course, the same discussion could not be renewed on subsequent Amendments. On subsequent Amendments, it would be necessary to show some distinction between the particular case and those that had been already decided in the Debate. I should, however, be prepared to allow the widest discussion on the first of the Amendments in question.

Clauses 1 (Short title), 2 (Army Act and Air Force Act to be in force for specified times), and 3 (Prices in respect of billeting) ordered to stand part of the Bill.

    cc1349-97
  1. CLAUSE 4.—(Abolition of death penalty in certain cases.) 20,153 words, 1 division
    2. cc1397-8
  2. NEW CLAUSE.—(Use of military in connection with trade disputes.) 142 words
    3. cc1398-413
  3. NEW CLAUSE.—(Amendment of Section 80 of Army Act.) 7,180 words, 1 division
    4. cc1413-9
  4. NEW CLAUSE.—(Amendment of Section 7 of Army Act.) 2,888 words, 1 division
    5. cc1419-20
  5. NEW CLAUSE.—(Amendment of Section 138 of Army Act.) 144 words
    6. c1421
  6. NEW CLAUSE.—(Attendance at church parade.) 130 words
    7. c1421
  7. FIRST SCHEDULE. 48 words