§ MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether any, and, if any, what, steps are taken by the War Office to give publicity, especially among the clergy and registrars, to the rules under which soldiers are allowed to marry, and to the position of married women not on the strength of the regiment, with a view to warning those concerned as to the non-recognition by the Military Authorities of the marriage of soldiers thus married without leave.
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIt is not considered necessary to give greater publicity to the rules affecting the admission of soldiers to the married roll than is afforded by their announcement in the Queen's Regulations. Soldiers married without leave do not have the advantages accorded to those who marry with leave; but no question can arise as to the validity of the marriage, nor would the refusal of leave justify a clergyman or registrar in declining to perform the marriage ceremony.
§ MR. HANBURYMy desire is that these women should be warned; and I therefore asked whether the right hon. Gentleman will not give clergymen and registrars an opportunity of warning women before they marry soldiers without leave?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI do not think it would be possible to inform clergymen and registrars all over the country of the men who are not at liberty to marry.