HC Deb 13 July 1948 vol 453 cc988-9
13. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War if the Committee of Inquiry set up by him under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Lewis to inquire into the court martial system has yet reported; and if he will publish the report and take steps to implement it.

21. Mr. Manningham-Buller

asked the Secretary of State for War when the report of the Court Martial Committee will be published.

22. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the findings of the Lewis Committee on Court Martial Reform will be made public in the near future.

Mr. Shinwell

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. A. Allen) on 20th April last. I can see no prospect of the report being made available to hon. Members this Session.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will my right hon. Friend see whether one of the recommendations in that report is that some system of appeal from courts martial should be set up? Such appeals are desirable in the public interest. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to implement such a recommendation if there be one?

Mr. Shinwell

When the recommendations are examined, I shall see how far it is possible to reconcile them with what my hon. and learned Friend has suggested.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

As the Minister has had the report in his possession since 20th April, what is the reason for the delay in publication?

Mr. Shinwell

This is a very complex matter; it affects several Service Departments and also the Legal Department under the Crown. The matter has to be very carefully examined. If it were a simple matter, I should be able to make a simple statement.

Mr. Manningham-Buller

Is there any reason why hon. Members should not be able to examine the report while the consequences of the report are examined by the War Office?

Mr. Shinwell

There is every reason why hon. Members should defer consideration at any rate until the Departments concerned have been able to conduct a further examination.

Mr. Low

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to implement the report before the House sees it, or is he going to delay its implementation?

Mr. Shinwell

I will not seek to do that. Hon. Members will be entitled to a full statement on the matter, but adequate time must be given to us to examine the problem ourselves.