Bill. NOTES ON CLAUSES. Clause 4. The amendment effected by this clause is due to the change in the constitution of the reserve force of the Indian Army. Clauses 5 and 7. The effect of these clauses is that the commanderin-chief of a composite force serving outside His Majesty's Dominions, consisting partly of the Army and partly of the air force, whether such commander-in-chief is a military officer or an air force officer, can declare the whole force to be a force on active service. Clause 6. This amendment is designed to meet the case of a new rank, namely, that of "colonel on the staff" which has recently been created in the army. A colonel on the staff is the equal in rank of a colonel commandant, and it is desired to confer on the colonel on the staff the same status as that at present enjoyed by a colonel commandant. Clause 8. This amendment will have the effect of rendering naval or air-force decorations and rewards held by persons convicted by courts-martial under the Army Act liable to forfeiture, in the same manner as military decorations and rewards are at present liable. Clause 9. The object of this clause is to provide that where a composite force, consisting partly of the army and partly of the air force, is on active service, the commander-inchief, whether a military officer or an air force officer, is to be able to exercise as respects the whole force the powers under s. 47 of the Army Act of dealing summarily with charges against officers and warrant officers. Clause 10. The object of the amendment is to extend to canteens, etc., situate more than 20 miles from London the same exemption from the necessity of taking out a dancing and entertainment licence which they enjoy if situate in London or within 20 miles thereof. Bill. ARRANGEMENT OF CLAUSES. Clause. 1. Short title. 2. Army Act and Air Force Act to be in force for specified times. 3. Prices in respect of billeting. AMENDMENT OF AIR FORCE ACT. 7. Amendment of s. 189 of the Air Force Act. 8. PART III. AMENDMENTS OF ARMY ACT APPLICABLE ALSO Amendment of s. 44 of the Army Act. 9. Amendment of s. 47 of the Army Act. 10. Amendment of s. 174A of the Army Act. 11. Application to Air Force. SCHEDULE. A BILL ΤΟ Provide, during Twelve Months, for the Discipline A.D. 1924. and Regulation of the Army and Air Force. W HEREAS the raising or keeping of a standing army within the United Kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against law: 5 And whereas it is adjudged necessary by His Majesty and this present Parliament that a body of land forces should be continued for the safety of the United Kingdom and the defence of the possessions of His Majesty's Crown, and that the whole number of such forces should 10 consist of one hundred and sixty-one thousand six hundred, including those to be employed at the depôts in the United Kingdom for the training of recruits for service at home and abroad, but exclusive of the numbers actually serving within His Majesty's Indian possessions : 15 And whereas under the Air Force (Constitution) Act, 7 & 8 Geo. 5. 1917, His Majesty is entitled to raise and maintain the c. 51. air force, and it is judged necessary that the whole number of such force should consist of thirty-five thousand, including those employed as aforesaid, but 20 exclusive of the numbers serving as aforesaid, and the provisions of the Air Force Act are due to expire at the same dates as the provisions of the Army Act: And whereas it is also judged necessary for the safety of the United Kingdom, and the defence of the 25 possessions of this realm, that a body of Royal Marine forces should be employed in His Majesty's fleet and naval service, under the direction of the Lord High |