§ 10. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the conditions under which a serving soldier is entitled to communicate with an hon. Member of this House?
§ Sir V. WarrenderA serving officer or soldier who wishes to make any representation relating to military matters is entitled to make it through the recognised military channels and in no other way. On other matters, he is fully at liberty to communicate with hon. Members.
§ Mr. ManderDo I understand from that answer that men now serving in the Army are fully entitled to communicate with their Parliamentary representatives, as to the conditions under which they are serving?
§ Sir V. WarrenderIf it is a question involving military conditions, they should, in the first place, make use of the channels which are open to them. We do all we can to encourage them to do so, firstly because it is in the interests of the men 6 themselves and, secondly, because if a complaint is made through other channels and comes to the notice of the commanding officer for the first time from above it places him in a very invidious position and is hardly fair to him.
§ Mr. ManderAssuming that a man has adopted the proper course and has presented his complaint through the ordinary channels but is still dissatisfied, is it not perfectly in order for him to communicate with his Parliamentary representative?
§ Sir V. WarrenderWe have to allow a certain amount of latitude on this question, but I think the House will agree that it is very desirable that the normal channels should be fully utilised in the first instance.
§ Mr. JaggerUnder what Army Regulation do you claim the right to prevent any man communicating with his Member of Parliament?
§ Mr. Arthur GreenwoodAfter the normal channels have been exhausted is it the policy of the War Office to deprive the citizen of his right of approach to his Parliamentary representative?
§ Sir V. WarrenderNo, Sir. I think it very unlikely, in fact I hardly think it possible that if there were a justifiable grievance it would not be remedied before the ordinary channels had been exhausted.
§ Sir Percy HarrisWould the hon. Gentleman make it clear that a man will not get into trouble for communicating with a Member of Parliament on a legitimate grievance.
§ Sir V. WarrenderObviously, I can only repeat that it is in the man's own interest to make the fullest use of the machinery which is available in the Army. Numerous cases have come to me through Members of Parliament and I do not think any hon. Member can quote a case in which any man has got into trouble.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs it not essential, from a disciplinary point of view, that the ordinary Service procedure should be carried out?