§ Colonel DAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the advisability of amending naval Regulations so that a bluejacket shall not be classed as a deserter, with the resulting deprivations, until 21 days after such desertion, as now applies in the case of Army ranks?
Mr. DAVIDSONA person subject to the Naval Discipline Act, who is absent more than seven days, is not convicted of "desertion" unless there is evidence of an intention not to return. The provisional marking "run" in the ledger after seven days is an administrative convenience enabling the man's account to be closed, and saves unnecessary labour, but does not prejudice his defence to a charge of desertion if he be subsequently apprehended or surrender. I am not prepared, therefore, to change the system.