§ 51. Sir G. BOWYERasked the Home Secretary whether the usual arrangements will be made for 11th November and the Armistice Service at the Cenotaph; and, if not, what are the reasons for any alterations?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe arrangements generally will follow very closely the 319 lines adopted in previous years, but, as already announced, there will be a substantial reduction in the number of troops on duty at the Cenotaph. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a statement published in the Press on 10th October explaining the reasons for this reduction.
§ Sir G. BOWYERWhy is there going to be a substantial reduction?
§ Mr. CLYNESBecause there is an increasing public feeling that, while we should continue to pay our tribute to the dead, as far as possible these ceremonies should partake of a civilian aspect more and more.
§ Sir WILLIAM MITCHELL-THOMSONHas this change of military dispositions been considered by the Army Council?
§ Mr. CLYNESIt has been considered by the Services concerned, and general agreement has been reached.
§ Sir HUGH O'NEILLWill these changes as regards the number of troops apply also to Armistice Day ceremonies at provincial centres as well as to the ceremony in London?
§ Mr. CLYNESI cannot speak for the provincial centres, but I observe from reports that many of them have responded to the example that has been set by London.
§ Sir H. O'NEILLHave the War Office issued any instructions with regard to Armistice Day ceremonies in the provincial centres?
§ The SECRERTARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The three Services met and came to a common agreement, along with the Home Office, that the relatives of the deceased soldiers should play a larger part in the Armistice Day celebration, but that, as far as the forces were concerned, in taking into consideration the wishes that we knew existed first among the relatives of the deceased soldiers, and secondly among the comrades of the deceased soldiers, the method of attendance of the military should not be changed; that there should be an alteration in numbers only but that the arming should not be changed.
§ Sir A. POWNALLHas the right hon. Gentleman received any communication 320 from the British Legion with regard to this matter, and, if so, what is the nature of the communication?
§ Major COHENDoes the right hon. Gentleman imply that when there are no relatives of ex-service men left the Armistice Service will be dropped?
§ Mr. SHAWI cannot answer hypothetical questions, but I hope that when there are no relatives left we shall have forgotten what war is.