§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the recommendations made for the improvement in the procedure of courts-martial by the Committee of Inquiry in 1919 are now operative in the Royal Air Force; and, if so, will he take action to ensure that the reformed procedure is observed in the Army?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSI am aware that the recommendations in question are in the main now operative in the Royal Air Force. They have been adopted in the Army to the same extent.
§ Mr. HERRIOTTSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is now placed on the wall of every guardroom a printed card explaining in simple language the rights of a soldier when brought up on a charge and when remanded for trial by court-martial, as recommended in the Report of the Committee of inquiry into the law and rules of procedure regulating military courts-martial?
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Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSThe answer is in the negative, but a new rule has been inserted in the Rules of Procedure providing that an officer shall explain to the accused his rights as to preparing his defence and as to being assisted or represented at his trial. The rule also provides that the accused shall be furnishedgratis with a copy of the summary of evidence and shall state in writing whether he wishes an officer to be assigned to assist him at his trial.