HC Deb 20 February 1945 vol 408 cc645-6W
Sir H. Williams

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty for what reason W.R.N.S. are not subject to the Naval Discipline Act, despite the fact that A.T.S. and W.A.A.F. are subject to the Army and Air Force Annual. Act.

Mr. J. P. L. Thomas

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Viscountess Davidson) on 16th July, 1941, when the A.T.S. and W.A.A.F. were first made subject to the Army and Air Force Acts as members of the Armed Forces. I am satisfied that the decision reached by the Board of Admiralty in this matter in 1941 was a right decision and that there is no more reason now than there was then for applying the Naval Discipline Act to the Women's Royal Naval Service.