HC Deb 27 July 1943 vol 391 cc1377-8
35. Mr. Erskine-Hill

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers in the Judge Advocate General's department and outside it who are normally required to read through the proceedings of each trial by field general court-martial held in this country?

Sir J. Grigg

The proceedings of trials by field general court-martial are normally reviewed by the confirming officer, by one superior military authority, by an officer of the Judge Advocate General's branch at Command Headquarters and finally in the office of the Judge Advocate General in London.

Mr. Erskine-Hill

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the simplification of the system will lead to a saving in man-power?

Sir J. Grigg

That really arises on the next Question, where I am asked about the numbers involved. The man-power is no very large, but the important consideration in the matter of courts-martial is that the system should be such as to ensure fairness and justice. In point of fact, the procedure has been cut down somewhat since the war started by stationing officers of the Judge Advocate General's Department at Command Headquarters.

Mr. Silverman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, in view of the absence of any right of appeal from the decisions of courts-martial, that the further cutting down of the system of review would be regarded with grave anxiety by a great many people?

Sir J. Grigg

The hon. Member is quite wrong is saying that there is no right of appeal.

36. Major Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers now employed in the military department of the Judge Advocate General's Office in Great Britain; the number of colonels, lieutenant-colonels and majors so employed; and how their numbers compare with those of August, 1940?

Sir J. Grigg

There are at present 65 officers employed in the Military Department of the Judge Advocate General's Office in Great Britain and Northern Ire land. One is a Brigadier, five are Lieutenant-Colonels and 12 are Majors. In August, 1940, 42 officers were so employed of which one was a Colonel, two were Lieutenant-Colonels and eight were Majors.

Major Lloyd

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this increase is partly due to the employment of these officers to prosecute Home Guards in cases that might well be tried by civil courts?

Sir J. Grigg

The total number of Home Guard trials by courts-martial is only 104, and the officers concerned have taken them in their stride without any addition to their numbers.