HC Deb 14 March 1893 vol 10 cc29-30
MR. KEARNEY (Devonport)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Section 6, paragraph 11, of the Queen's Regulations strictly prohibits officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and private soldiers from taking part in or attending any political gatherings of any kind in uniform; whether he is also aware; that the same regulations prohibit non-commissioned officers and private soldiers to ever appear out of uniform; and whether, inasmuch as the due observance of these Regulations debars a large number of voters in many constituencies from obtaining the same political instruction as civilian voters, he will make such modifications in them as will remove this disability?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The Regulations are as stated by the hon. Member, and I am not disposed to alter them, even although a soldier may occasionally be thereby debarred from the advantage of attending a political meeting.