§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Home Secretary whether the recent Order issued by the Admiralty directing the police authorities at the home ports to hand over to Naval custody men belonging to His Majesty's ships was issued with his sanction; whether the step taken infringes the judiciary rights of borough magistrates and borough councils; and, if taken with his sanction, will he say under what Act of Parliament he is acting?
§ Mr. McKENNANo Order has been issued, but the naval authorities have suggested to the police at naval ports that men belonging to His Majesty's ships arrested for such offences as drunkenness should be handed over to the naval authorities to be dealt with by them where there is no reason to the contrary. This proposal had my entire concurrence. It appears very undesirable that a man should be punished by the Civil Court and afterwards punished again under Naval Regulations for the same offence when such a course can be avoided. A similar practice has long been in force in the Metropolitan Police district, and I know of no law to forbid it.