§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number and description of courts-martial convened for the trial of persons subject to military law in the Army in the year ended 30 September 1979 in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HayhoeIn the United Kingdom, during the year ended 30 September 1979, 416 soldiers were tried by district courts martial and three officers and four soldiers were tried by general courts martial.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number and descriptions of courts martial con- 498W vened for the trial of persons, including civilians, subject to military law in the Army in the year ended 30 September 1979 outside the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HayhoeOutside the United Kingdom, during the year ended 30 September 1979, 548 soldiers and 2 civilians were tried by district courts-martial, and 9 officers, 18 soldiers and 2 civilians were tried by general courts-martial, 60 civilians were tried by standing civilian court in BAOR during the same period. This court tries civilians for offences of the kind which would be taken by a magistrates' court in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence, if directions are given to officers convening courts martial to inform the news media of the time and place at which a court martial in the Army is to be held; and what is the practice followed.
§ Mr. HayhoeNo, but under Queen's Regulation (1975), every headquarters convening courts martial is required to compile weekly a list of forthcoming trials and to display it at least 24 hours before the time of the first trial mentioned. In BAOR it is to be displayed 48 hours beforehand. The lists are displayed at, or in the vicinity of, the headquarters in a place which is accessible to the public. An accused person may also notify whomsoever he wishes of the date, time and place of his court martial.