§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
THE EARL OF MORLEY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that it was principally a measure of details for the amendment and improvement of the present law, and he would be happy to give any explanation which might be required.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Earl of Morley.)
§ LORD CHELMSFORDcomplained of the Bill being brought up at such a late period of the Session, but was glad to see that in some respects the present law would be amended. He regarded Clause 22—dealing with courts martial—with the greatest satisfaction, believing that it would largely tend to maintain and improve discipline in the Army. Their Lordships would be surprised, he was sure, if they knew the number of 717 courts martial whose proceedings had been quashed, not on account of any illegality, but merely for some irregularity. He would be glad to see the principle of Clause 22 applied more generally throughout the measure.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.