The Army Air Force Bill passed the committee stage in the House of Commons to-day.
'The Bill in its original form abolished the death penalty for cowardice' while on active service and substituted instead penal sertitude, It retained, however, the death penalty for' the shameful abandonment of any place or risen, the shameful casting away of arms in the presence of the enemy. and for treachery.
'A Conservative amendment to retain the death penalty for a man who induced his comrades to behave in a cowardly manner was rejected in committee, but a Solist amendment to abolish the death penalty for desertion on ac~ tive service was carried.
The passing of this Socialist amendment, however, did not te-present a Government defeat as the matter was left to the free vote of the House.
The death penalty may now only be inflicted for mutiny and treachery.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.