Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act 1914
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 1914 c. 8 |
| Year | 1914 |
Defence of the Realm Consolidation Act, 1914.
(5 & 6 Geo. 5.) CHAPTER 8.
An Act to consolidate and amend the Defence of the Realm Acts.
[27th November 1914]
Be it enacted by the King'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:
1 Power to make regulations as to the defence of the realm.
(1) His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm, and as to the powers and duties for that purpose of the Admiralty and Army Council and of the members of His Majesty's forces and other persons acting in his behalf; and may by such regulations authorise the trial by courts-martial, or in the case of minor offences by courts of summary jurisdiction, and punishment of persons committing offences against the regulations and in particular against any of the provisions of such regulations designed—
(a ) to prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or all purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or the forces of his allies or to assist the enemy; or
(b ) to secure the safety of His Majesty's forces and ships and the safety of any means of communication and of railways, ports, and harbours; or
(c ) to prevent the spread of false reports or reports likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty or to interfere with the success of His Majesty's forces by land or sea or to prejudice His Majesty's relations with foreign powers; or
(d ) to secure the navigation of vessels in accordance with directions given by or under the authority of the Admiralty; or
(e ) otherwise to prevent assistance being given to the enemy or the successful prosecution of the war being endangered.
(2) Any such regulations may provide for the suspension of any restrictions on the acquisition or user of land, or the exercise of the power of making byelaws, or any other power under the Defence Acts, 1842 to 1875, or the Military Lands Acts, 1891 to 1903, and any such regulations or any orders made thereunder affecting the pilotage of vessels may supersede any enactment, order, charter, byelaw, regulation of provision as to pilotage.
(3) It shall be lawful for the Admiralty or...
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