§ 4. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Defence whether he will set up a committee to examine court-martial procedure and to make recommendations for improvement.
§ Mr. SandysNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that several recent cases have shattered public confidence in the fairness of courts-martial, and is not this widespread mistrust strengthened by such cases as that of ex-Corporal Ford, where a sentence of nine months was first imposed, then cut to two months and finally waived altogether? Surely, that kind of case indicates a need for some thoroughgoing review of the whole machinery.
§ Mr. SandysOf course, the process of appeal and revision is one of the essential safeguards for the prisoner. If appeals never resulted in any change in sentence, the hon. Gentleman would, I think, be more justified in his criticism.