[3] This was due to the large numbers of people who were expected to be conscripted in the event of a war.

In the event, the Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) Act (Expiry) Order 1947 was made on 10 March 1947.

[6] Section 7(1) read: "Notwithstanding anything in any enactment, for the purpose of any trial with a jury or inquiry by a jury in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, it shall not be necessary for the jury to consist of more than seven persons: "Provided that the preceding provisions of this subsection shall not apply in relation to the trial of a person on any charge, if the court or a judge thinks fit, by reason of the gravity of the matters in issue, to direct that those provisions shall not apply, and shall not in any case apply in relation to the trial of a person on a charge of treason or murder."

[8] Introducing the second reading debate on 16 May, the Lord Chancellor Frederic Maugham suggested it was "designed to enable the Courts to function in case of the outbreak of war.

"[9] Following Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, the Bill was one of a number of pieces of emergency legislation to be introduced into the House of Commons.