§ 4.32 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill I should like to point out that its purpose is to remove an anomaly relating to the wills of sailors and marines. Many of your Lordships are aware that during the late war, and, in fact, during the previous war, and during the period of emergency which still exists to-day, a member of the Armed Forces was able to write his will on a piece of paper without any witnesses, or to make a will orally, provided that 898 there were two witnesses to say it was done, and could thereby will away the whole of his assets. This has been found to be a very necessary provision for men in the Armed Forces and, of course, enables them to make a will quickly. On the other hand, when the present emergency ends, while naval ratings and marines will be allowed, under the present law, to leave their civilian property in the way I have mentioned, the curious thing is that they will not be able to leave any naval assets, such as prize money, bounties, arrears of pay and so on, in that manner. This short Bill will have the effect of repealing previous legislation on this matter, and will enable the present emergency provisions to be replaced by permanent legislation. It will bring sailors and marines into line with other members of the Armed Forces; in fact the naval assets of a seaman or marine will be treated in the same way as the other assets of any other serving soldier, sailor or airman.
Your Lordships may ask why sailors have not in the past been treated in the same manner as members of the other Armed Forces. I think the reason is that in years gone by the sailor would come ashore and perhaps quickly will away his naval assets when in undesirable company. It is now considered, and rightly so, that sailors are well able to look after their own interests, and that there is no reason why they should be treated differently from any other members of the Armed Forces. I would add that this Bill passed through all its stages in another place without amendment and is, I understand, welcomed by the Admiralty. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Teynham.)
§ VISCOUNT HALLMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Toynham, has fully explained the purpose of this Bill. It is a very useful Bill, which will remove present anomalies and avoid others that might arise in the future. We will facilitate the passage of this Bill by not taking up any more of your Lordships' time.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.