§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his answer of 9 February,Official Report, column 766, if he will give the reasons why it is necessary to preserve differences in the statutory provisions for the different services; and what consideration he has given as to whether joint service headquarters and organisations will make a policy of separate disciplinary acts for each service difficult to administer.
§ Mr. NeubertWhile there are considerable areas of similarity in the service discipline Acts, the differences in the provisions are in the main a reflection of operational requirements. These requirements need to be taken into account in the interests of the timely administration of justice and the resolution of disciplinary problems. Where necessary, suitable arrangements can be made for joint service headquarters and organisations within the framework of the current legislation.