§ 94. Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for War whether he proposes to carry into effect the recommendations of 220W the Oliver Committee on court martial procedure.
§ Mr. BellengerI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 22nd October to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes), a copy of which I am sending him.
§ 95. Mr. Footasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to ensure that a competent shorthand writer shall be present at all courts martial on the lines generally operated in Naval courts martial.
§ Mr. BellengerIt has been the practice for many years to employ a verbatim notetaker at all general courts martial in this country and also at the more important trials by district or field general court martial, especially where the volume of evidence or the importance of the case has justified this being done. Abroad during the late war it was often, but by no means always possible to arrange for a competent notetaker from the ranks of the Army to attend. As a result of releases this cannot always be done but, where possible, arrangements are made to obtain the services of a civilian. I hope generally to be able to provide notetakers to carry out these duties at courts martial in future.