§ 23. Mr. Anthony Greenwoodasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the light of recent cases, he will review the administration of the Department of the Judge Advocate General.
§ Mr. ShinwellI am not clear what my hon. Friend has in mind. If he is thinking of the recent judgment of the Divisional Court in the Boydell case, this case and its implications are being studied at the present time and I cannot anticipate the result.
§ Mr. GreenwoodIn bearing that case in mind, may I ask my right hon. Friend to remember that the public anxiety on this matter—first caused by the irregular courts martial in Burma little more than a year ago—has not been allayed by this recent case, and would not he agree that in the case of men who are subject to military discipline it is even more important than in the case of ordinary civilians that they should have complete confidence in the administration of justice?
§ Mr. ShinwellI have already said that the implications are being considered.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Boydell case court martial papers were studied and reviewed by the Judge Advocate General in the ordinary way before any civil proceedings were brought, and did he hold that this man was subject to military law?
§ Mr. ShinwellAll cases are considered by the Judge Advocate General.
§ Mr. Hector HughesAre any steps being taken to make provision for appeal from courts martial?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am not aware of any.