22. Dr. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 3 of the Visiting Forces Act, 1952, by reserving for trial by a United Kingdom court offences against the person involving the death of a British subject.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeNo, Sir. The Agreement regarding the Status of Forces of Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty gives us the primary right to exercise jurisdiction over a member of a visiting force in respect of an offence against a British subject, except when the offence was committed in the performance of official duty, when the sending State has the primary right. Section 3 of the Visiting Forces Act, 1952, gives effect to the Agreement.
Mr. JegerIs the Home Secretary aware that only two weeks ago an American soldier who was driving a car killed two British subjects and was sentenced by an American court-martial to six months' imprisonment? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman quite satisfied about all the circumstances in connection with that case?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeIt is not the practice of this House to express opinions on the circumstances of particular trials. I want to make it clear that the provisions are those under the new Act; and when I was introducing it into the House a short time ago I indicated that although it made an improvement in the position. we had no complaints about the administration of the old Act. That is the position as far as I know it, and I cannot go into details of a particular case.