Judge-Advocate General (Duties)

Oral Answers to Questions — Building Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 6 March 1945.

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Photo of Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore , Ayr District of Burghs 12:00, 6 March 1945

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will indicate the duties and responsibilities of the Judge-Advocate General.

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

His Majesty's Judge-Advocate General, who is appointed on the recommendation of the Secretaries of State for War and Air, and holds his office under Letters Patent from the Crown, superintends the administration of military and air force law in the British Army and Royal Air Force respectively at home and abroad. This includes similar duties in relation to the Royal Marines when subject to military law, and to the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Women's Auxiliary Air Force.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore , Ayr District of Burghs

Is this official a military officer or a civil servant?

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

I would not like to answer that conundrum offhand. He is appointed, as I say, under Letters Patent, on the recommendation of the Secretaries of State for War and Air.

Photo of Captain John McEwen Captain John McEwen , Berwickshire and Haddingtonshire

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this officer may be three in one; and is there any evidence to show that he is any one of the three?

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

Perhaps I may state that I have been reading Gibbon again, and there has been a great deal of trouble about the nature of the Trinity in the history of our planet.

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon South

As the W.R.N.S. come under the Naval Discipline Act, does the Judge-Advocate General deal with them?

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

If they were excepted from my list, the answer is "No." My hon. Friend might ask the First Lord of the Admiralty.