§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)My Lords, the fourth and fifth sections of this Bill introduce two Amendments of the Army (Annual) Act of 1881. Under the present regulations a soldier can only extend his engagement so as to complete the period of twelve years altogether. Now, your Lordships are aware that we have lately, as an emergency measure, enlisted a very considerable number of men in Reserve battalions upon a one year engagement. It is quite likely that some of these men may desire to extend their period of service. Under the law as it stands they can only extend it so as to complete the full period of twelve years; that is to say, a man having engaged for one year can only extend so as to complete the full period of twelve years. We think it likely that many of these men may desire to extend for a shorter term, and an Amendment is introduced authorising extensions of service for a shorter period than the full twelve years. The other Amendment is of a comparatively trivial character. There is a discrepancy between the 79th and the 161st Sections 1385 of the Act. The 79th Section provides for the restoration by the Secretary of State of all or part of the service of a soldier which has been forfeited for desertion or fraudulent enlistment. Under the 161st Section the power of restoring service forfeited for fraudulent enlistment is apparently excluded. The object of the Amendment is to reconcile the two sections.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read a second time.—(The Marquess of Lansdowne.)
§ On Question, agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly; Committee negatived; Bill to be read 3a on Monday next.