HL Deb 10 July 1940 vol 116 cc881-2

5.18 p.m.

LORD MARCH WOOD

My Lords, I beg to ask the second question which stands in my name on the Paper.

[The Question was as follows: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are prepared to shoot British subjects who are convicted of endeavouring to help the King's enemies.]

LORD CROFT

My Lords, there can be no doubt that a person "convicted of endeavouring to help the King's enemies" would come under cither the Treason Acts or the Treachery Act and would therefore be sentenced to death. He would be hanged and not shot unless he were tried by Court-Martial, which, as regards British subjects, would only be in the case of persons subject to Naval, Military or Air Force law. No doubt also in conditions of active military operations such persons would be dealt with more summarily.

LORD MARCHWOOD

I do not object to the method.

LORD CROFT

I know the noble Lord would not expect me to go into details, but perhaps it would be sufficient if I were to say that the views of His Majesty's Government on the proper treatment of traitors were fully explained in the course of the recent debates on the Treachery Bill, Section I of which provides that if, with intent to help the enemy, any person dot's, or attempts or conspires with any other person to do, any act which is designed or likely to give assistance to the naval, military or air operations of the enemy, to impede such operations of His Majesty's Forces, or to endanger life, he shall be guilty of felony and shall on conviction suffer death. These debates received considerable publicity at the time, and it ought to be generally known that the penalty for treachery is death and that proceedings under that Act would unhesitatingly be taken against any offender. If this is not generally known throughout the country, then I can only hope that my noble friend's question will draw attention to that fact and will still more emphasize what has already passed in the previous debates.

5.20 p.m.

LORD MARCHWOOD

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his answer. I am sure that it will give great relief throughout the country to know the action which is being taken by His Majesty's Government in these matters.