§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 170 Roman Catholic soldiers now stationed in the camp at Delamere, near Northwich, are deprived of the means of attending the services of the Roman Catholic Church, although the Roman Catholic Rector of Northwich has offered to conduct services in the camp; and, if so, will he state whether the War Office has any control over the discretion of the Commanding Officer in this matter; and, if so, will that control be exercised.
* LORD STANLEYAs I have already explained to the hon. Member,† the control over the Commanding Officer's discretion lies with the General Officer Commanding the district, to whom the hon. Member should refer.
† See (4) Debates, cxxv., 1443.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDoes the noble Lord know what occurred in the camp yesterday? I postponed this Question at the request of the Secretary for War.
* LORD STANLEYThe hon. Member is again mistaken. I am not aware what took place in the camp yesterday.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThen you ought to know.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member really must restrain himself. He has no right to comment in that improper way.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI only did so in consequence of the tone of the noble Lord.
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLsaid, in reference to this Question may I make a personal observation—or rather explanation. Last Wednesday I wrote to the Secretary for War on this matter, and he replied asking me to put the Question in due course. I said I would do so, and now, when on the floor of the House I state what occurred, the noble Lord flatly contradicts me. I cannot allow anything that I say on my own personal knowledge to be contradicted.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member was correct when he began by saying he was going to make a personal "observation."