HC Deb 22 October 1946 vol 427 c325W
93. Mr. Manningham-Buller

asked the Secretary of State for War the terms of reference of the committee to inquire into the court martial system; the names of those appointed to serve on the committee; and whether he will give an assurance that the inquiry will be held in public except when a public hearing might deter persons from giving evidence.

Mr. Bellenger

In answer to the first two parts of the Question, I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air, and hope to make an announcement shortly. As regards the last part of the Question, the practice in the past has been to hold such an inquiry in private, in order to give it the widest possible scope and freedom, and, although I am not in a position yet to make any final statement on the matter, I should expect that the same course would be followed at the forthcoming inquiry. In any case the report will be published.