HC Deb 22 January 1918 vol 101 cc801-2
23. Mr. ANDERSON

asked whether soldiers serving with the Colours are allowed to belong to a political party or to attend political meetings; whether a soldier if adopted as a Parliamentary candidate would be allowed to take any steps to further his candidature; and, in view of the entirely changed character of the present Army, whether the War Office intend to take steps to modify or abolish the old restrictions?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The War Cabinet, as I stated in an answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stirling Burghs on 8th August last, have decided that paragraph 451 of the King's Regulations is to be strictly and impartially enforced; but if an election is pending and a soldier is adopted as a candidate, special furlough would be granted to him to promote his candidature.

General CROFT

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that his answer means that no officer or man at present serving in the Army can be adopted as a prospective candidate; cannot some exceptions be made?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is not the case; because there is an officer at the present moment who has been adopted as a candidate for one of the divisions of Lancashire (Prestwich) represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. BILLING

Is it possible for the Secretary for War to stand as a candidate, while if a man wishes to stand as an independent candidate to oppose a Government nominee he cannot get permission?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I hope my hon. Friend will do me the honour of reading to-morrow the answer which I have given.

Sir C. WARNER

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us when an election is pending?

Mr. MACPHERSON

An election may be pending at any moment. There is one pending now in which an officer is a candidate.

Mr. BILLING

Does the hon. Member mean adopted by a political party or by a constituency?

General CROFT

In the event of it being desired to adopt an officer or a soldier as a prospective candidate, will he be permitted, when on leave, to go before an association?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I think that point is covered by the answer which I have given: I am assuming that an officer or a man would not seek to take part in polities unless it were absolutely necessary, and I think the fairest of all ways of getting out of a very difficult situation is to say that an officer or a man, if an election is pending, shall be allowed to get the necessary leave and facilities for pursuing his candidature.