HC Deb 14 July 1948 vol 453 cc1197-8
45. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence if his attention has been drawn to the case of Private James Ronald, 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who in 1946 was tried by Field General Court Martial, convicted of murder and sentenced to death; whose sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life but which sentence was in July, 1948, quashed for irregularity in the proceedings; and, in view of the defects in the present court martial system, whether he will expedite the provision of a general right of appeal from conviction and sentence at all courts martial.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

I do not consider that this case can be taken as evidence of general defects in the present courts martial system. In any case, this system is at present under review in connection with the Report of the Lewis Committee.

Mr. Hughes

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the answer, may I ask if he is aware that amongst members of the three Forces and other persons interested in the administration of justice, there is a strong opinion in favour of some such alteration in the law. As he has mentioned the Lewis Report, can my right hon. Friend tell us when the Report will be published and what steps he will take to implement the recommendation which it is commonly supposed to include?

Mr. Alexander

I have nothing to add, in answer to the last part of that question, to what was said by the Secretary of State for War yesterday.