Mr. WardI beg to move, in page 48, line 3, to leave out "authority" and insert "officer."
The effect of the Amendment is to substitute "convening officer" for "convening authority." "Convening officer" is the expression used in Clause 95 of the Army Bill, it is used throughout both Bills, and also, in the interpretation Clause—Clause 143—in this Bill. "Convening officer" is the right description. Under Clause 86, only an officer—and not an authority, such as the Air Council—can convene a court-martial. I therefore ask the Committee to accept the Amendment.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Further Amendment made: In page 48, line 6, leave out "authority" and insert "officer."—[Mr. Ward.]
§ Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.
§ Clauses 96 to 103 ordered to stand part of the Bill.