Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the secretary for the Festival of Empire has stated that he can obtain 619 Guards' bands, with nearly double the number of performers that the prize brass bands have, for about halt the amount charged by the latter; and whether, seeing that the Army bands are maintained out of public money, he will take steps to put a stop to this competition by bands connected with the Army?
§ Colonel SEELYThere is no information at the War Office respecting the statement made by the secretary to the Festival of Empire. Orders were issued in 1906 that no engagement should be accepted by military bands on terms less than those which would in the same circumstances be offered to other bands. So far as I am aware these orders have been carried out.