Mr. Noel-BakerI beg to move, in page 3, line 25, at the end, to insert:
Provided that any reference to a member of the naval, military or air forces of His Majesty shall be construed as including a reference to a member of the said Forces raised in a Dominion who is temporarily attached under Subsection (2) of Section four of the Visiting Forces (British Commonwealth) Act, 1933, to a part of the said Forces raised in the United Kingdom.The purpose of this Amendment is, I think, quite plain. Under an Act of 1933, the Admiralty, the Army or the Air Force may temporarily attach a member of His Majesty's Forces in an overseas Dominion to His Majesty's Forces in the United Kingdom. We desire to apply the provisions of this Bill to those members of Dominion Forces so temporarily attached. I think that this is a useful facility, and I hope that it will be accepted.
§ Mr. C. WilliamsI cannot possibly accept anyone's pleasure to legislate too quickly. This is a necessary Amendment. But may I remind the right hon. Gentleman that, first of all, there was a mistake on his part in leaving out the Dominions. They are now being put in. J should like to ask whether the Government are quite sure that the Colonies are covered in the same way. If the right hon. Gentleman will give me an assurance that between now and the Report stage the Government will look into the matter, I should be very glad. I should like to have that assurance.
Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir. I will certainly give that assurance and I will make inquiries, although I think the Colonies are included. We were in consultation with the Dominions.
§ It being Four o'Clock, The CHAIRMAN left the Chair to make his report to the House.
§ Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.