HC Deb 26 March 1947 vol 435 cc203-4W
76. Commander Noble

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any information to give about the new legal branch of the R.N.

Mr. Dugdale

The duties of Officiating Deputy Judge Advocate at Naval courts martial and of Clerk of the Court at disciplinary courts are carried out by the officers of the Supply and Secretariat Branch, who receive legal instruction in the course of their ordinary training to qualify them for these duties. The growing complexity of the criminal law, not only as regards procedure, but also as regards the technical and involved nature of the offences which may be committed has immeasurably increased the difficulties of courts martial and of the officers who advise the courts. The Admiralty have accordingly carefully examined what measures might best be taken to relieve the burdens which are being thrown on these officers. After the fullest consideration, it has been decided that a separate Legal Branch is im- practicable, and ill-adapted to conditions of service in the Navy, and that the best results will be obtained by giving a fuller legal training to a number of officers of the Supply and Secretariat Branch.

We have decided that a small number of these officers shall be selected for training at public expense with a view to qualifying as barristers. Arrangements have been made with the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple for the admission of selected officers, who will normally pursue their training during a period of three years while holding suitable shore appointments. After qualification, these officers will gain practical experience by spending six months as pupils in the chambers of practising banisters. On re-appointment for Naval duties, they will be employed in their normal capacity where their special qualifications will be of greatest value, and it is contemplated that in due course there will be one such officer in each of the major commands. In addition, a number of more junior Supply officers will spend one month in the office of the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet (who is himself a Supply officer qualified as a barrister), and a further four to five months as pupils in chambers.