the safety of the United Kingdom and the defence of the possessions of Her Majesty's Crown, and that the whole number of such forces should consist of one hundred and fifty-six thousand one hundred and seventy-four, including those to be employed at the depots in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for the training of recruits for service at home and abroad, but exclusive of the numbers actually serving within Her Majesty's Indian possessions:
And whereas it is also judged necessary for the safety of the United Kingdom; and the defence of the possessions of this realm, that a body of Royal Marine forces should be employed in Her Majesty's fleet and naval service, under the direction of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, or the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral aforesaid:
And whereas the said marine forces may frequently be quartered or be on shore, or sent to do duty or be on board transport ships or vessels, merchant ships or vessels, or other ships or vessels, or they may be under other circumstances in which they will not be subject to the laws relating to the government of Her Majesty's forces by sea:
And whereas no man can be forejudged of life or limb, or subjected in time of peace to any kind of punishment within this realm by martial law, or in any other manner than by the judgment of his peers and according to the known and established laws of this realm; yet nevertheless it being requisite, for the retaining all the before-mentioned forces, and other persons subject to military law, in their duty, that an exact discipline be observed, and that persons belonging to the said forces who mutiny or stir up sedition, or desert Her Majesty's service, or are guilty of crimes and offences to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, be brought to a more exemplary and speedy punishment than the usual forms of the law will allow:
44 & 45 Vict. c.58 And whereas the Army Act will expire in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six on the following days:
- (a.) In the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, on the thirtieth day of April; and
- (b.) Elsewhere in Europe, inclusive of Malta, also in the West Indies and America, on the thirty-first day of July; and
- (c.) Elsewhere, whether within or without Her Majesty's dominions, on the thirty-first day of December:
Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Short title.1. This Act may be cited as the Army (Annual) Act, 1896.
Army Act (44 & 45 Vict. c. 58. to be in force for specified times2.—(1.) The Army Act shall be and remain in force during the periods herein-after mentioned, and no longer, unless otherwise to be in force provided by Parliament; that is to say, (a.) Within the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, from the thirtieth day of April one thousand