HC Deb 09 October 1945 vol 414 cc52-3W
Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for War what regulation or instruction authorised the procedure whereby at a court-martial at Chelsea on 12th September, one of the members of the court, to whom the defendant objected on the grounds of his religion was replaced by another officer.

Mr. Lawson

This objection was raised and dealt with under the procedure laid down in Section 51 of the Army Act, and in compliance with Rule of Procedure 25 (A), which requires that the court shall ascertain that it is constituted of officers to whom the accused makes no reasonable objection. In the special circumstances of this particular case the Court decided to allow the objection, as it was fully within their discretion to do.