Explanatory note

Section 1(1) of the Armed Forces Act 1996 provides that the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (“the Service Discipline Acts”) should continue in force until 31st August 1997 and should then expire unless continued in force in accordance with that section. The Army, Air Force and Naval Discipline Acts (Continuation) Orders 1997, 1998 and 1999 (S.I. 1997/1745, S.I. 1998/1499 and S.I. 1999/1734 respectively) have each provided for the continuation of the Service Discipline Acts for a period of 12 months. Under the 1999 Order, those Acts will continue in force until 31st August 2000. This Order enables the Service Discipline Acts to continue in force for a further period of 12 months beyond that date.