§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYAL)My Lords, in moving that this Bill be read a second time, I want to draw your Lordships' attention to the fact that this Bill is one that must become law before the end of the month. It contains a few amendments to the Army Act and to the Air Force Act, none of them of a controversial nature. The preamble and Clauses 1 to 3 are the same as those laid down for the present year. The object of Clause 4 is to prevent any part of the pay of members of the Regular Army or Royal Air Force serving in India or Burma from being attached under orders of Civil Courts in those countries. Such attachment is not possible outside India and Burma, and even within those countries it is not possible in the case of persons subject to the Indian Army Act, the Indian Air Force Act, or the Burma Army Act. The clause has been included with the consent of the Governments of India and Burma.
Clause 5 provides for what are to be known as "long service" enlistments. It will enable men who wish to make the Army their career to enlist for 12 years with the Colours, with the right at their option to re-engage to complete 21 years with the Colours, and so earn service pensions. The clause makes the re-engagement of such men subject to veto, and to certain conditions, but in the ordinary course re-engagement will not be refused to any such man provided that he is still efficient, fit and of good character. In order to secure flexibility in the use of these long service men, subsection (2) of the clause provides that they shall be liable to transfer from one corps to another. Clause 6 repeals a provision relating to an obsolete class of "hospital apprentices" in India. Clause 7, which amends the Air Force Act only, will enable the Air Council to attach Royal Air Force officers and airmen (in time of peace, only with their consent) to the Indian Air Force, and to the Burma Air Force, if and when such a force is created. It also provides for regulations to be made relating to powers of command over Royal Air Force personnel while so attached. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2£.— (Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.