Armed Forces Act 1971

13 Failure to report or apprehend deserters or absentees

(1) The following provision shall be substituted for section 39 of the [1955 c. 18.] Army Act 1955:—

“39 Failure to report or apprehend deserters or absentees.

Any person subject to military law who, knowing that any other person so subject has committed an offence, or is attempting to commit an offence, under section 37(1) or section 38 of this Act—

(a) fails to report the fact without delay, or

(b) fails to take any steps within his power to cause that other person to be apprehended,

shall be liable, on conviction by court-martial, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.”

(2) The provision set out in subsection (1) above shall also be substituted for section 39 of the [1955 c. 19.] Air Force Act 1955, but modified for that purpose by the substitution of " air-force law " for " military law ".

(3) Section 18 of the Naval Discipline Act 1957 shall be amended so as to correspond with the said provision, that is to say, by substituting for the words from " has deserted " to " place of duty" immediately before paragraph (a) the words " has committed an offence, or is attempting to commit an offence, under section 16(1) or section 17(1) of this Act ".