§ 63 and 64. Mr. LAURENCE HARDYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that soldiers who are members of the Church of England are not allowed to attend Holy Communion as an alternative to church parade, although other religions have the privilege allowed to them; whether he will arrange that this interference with the spiritual rights and wishes of these soldiers should be removed; (2) whether he is aware that the parade service at Bedford on Sunday for Church of England soldiers is fixed at an hour which prevents soldiers from attending early Holy Communion; and whether he will give instructions that the men may be given leave from the parade service when it clashes with the other service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONParade services are ordered by King s Regulations, and all soldiers are compelled to attend Divine service of their own denomination unless prevented by military duty. Frequent celebrations of Holy Communion are conducted by chaplains, and commanding officers give facilities to communicants to attend. I have made inquiries into the practice at Bedford, and find that opportunities are given for communicants to attend Holy Communion either in the early morning or after parade service.