§ DR. TINDAL ROBERTSON (Brighton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether an Order has been recently issued from the Horse Guards to prevent regimental bands from playing in districts other than those in which the regiments to which they belong is located; whether he is aware that this new Order has prevented the bands of the Guards' regiments from playing in several places where they had undertaken to play; whether this new Regulation has been the subject of complaint from various towns where the Guards' bands had been engaged to play; and, whether the Regulation had his approval?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) () Lincolnshire, HorncastleAn Order was issued on the 2nd of August under which regimental bands were forbidden to play out of the military district in which their head-quarters were situated, without special permission from the War Office. I believe that the Guards' bands were prevented by this Rule from fulfilling some of their engagements. One case—that of Brighton —has already been brought to my notice by the Judge Advocate General. In others local complaints have been made; and I am bound to say that I think it would have been better if longer notice had been given of the change of practice intended. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's Question, the Commander-in-Chief has informed me that he considers the Order advisable on military grounds.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked, whether the same Rule applied to the Royal Artillery Woolwich band?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe Rule applies to all bands.