§ 52. Mr. Doigasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend the Rules of Procedure made under Section 103 of the Army and Air Force Acts, 1955, to provide that a prisoner acquitted shall not suffer heavier costs than a prisoner honourably acquitted; and why he makes the distinction.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesNo, Sir. An ex gratia payment in respect of costs may be made when the circumstances of an acquittal justify it. The distinction quoted by my hon. Friend is only one example of the cases in which such a payment may be made. Our practice in this respect is modelled as closely as possible on the practice of civil courts.
§ Mr. DoigHow many decisions is it 0possible to have from a court-martial? Is it possible to have an acquittal which is not an honourable acquittal?