§ 48. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Defence what administrative action is contemplated with regard to the composition of courts-martial in the Army and Royal Air Force in fulfilment of the report of the Lewis Committee.
§ Mr. ShinwellNone, Sir.
§ Mr. BlackburnDoes not the Minister think that it is quite wrong that soldiers may be tried and convicted of serious offences, such as murder, on a majority verdict of four officers against three, or three against two, whereas people in civilian life can only be convicted on the unanimous verdict of 12 jurymen?
§ Mr. ShinwellThat matter was discussed in the recent debate on the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Bill.
§ Mr. BlackburnThe right hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. I was ruled out of order by Mr. Speaker when I sought to raise this matter in the debate on that Bill. I would beg the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider this matter and have the unanimity rule immediately introduced for courts-martial throughout the Services.