HC Deb 17 February 1955 vol 537 cc664-5

9.0 p.m.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

I beg to move, in page 104, line 11, to leave out "fifty" and insert "twenty."

The Deputy-Chairman

It might be convenient to the Committee to discuss at the same time the hon. Member's next three Amendments, in lines 12, 14 and 15.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

I put down these Amendments to get some satisfaction as to whether the penalties provided in the Clause were not rather severe and whether by substituting the smaller sums proposed in the Amendment the same purpose of justice would not be achieved. I would especially like an explanation of why the fine has suddenly gone up to £500 in line 14, subsection (2).

Mr. Hector Hughes

The cost of living is rising.

Mr. Head

The offences referred to in the Clause are serious offences. The hon. Member has, I know, both an extensive and a practical knowledge of the questions of military law and he will appreciate that the offences laid down in the Clause are serious offences, particularly in time of war. The rise in the amount of the fine to which the hon. Member refers, in subsection (2), is because the fines are imposed on conviction on indictment. This is entirely consistent with the advice both of the Select Committee and of the Departmental Committee, who went into the question of the more serious offences concerned, for which the penalties are provided on conviction on indictment.

Amendment negatived.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 193 to 196 ordered to stand part of the Bill.