§ 2 and 3. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether men lent by the Army to farmers for purposes of agricultural work are free to address complaints or grievances to Members of Parliament; whether he is aware that an Order has been issued to the 345th Agricultural Company, Chester, forbidding such action; (2) whether he can state the position of soldiers engaged on agricultural work in regard to associations of a trade union character; whether, if they were members of an agricultural labourers' union before joining the Colours, they can continue such membership and pay subscriptions whilst engaged on land work; and whether they can attend trade union meetings?
§ The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)Men in agricultural companies are serving soldiers, and consequently subject to the Army Act. The methods under which their complaints 1382 and grievances should be dealt with are indicated in Section 43 of the Army Act and paragraph 439 the King's Regulations. I am not aware of the Order stated to have been issued to the 345th Agricultural Company, but in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 30th October last to my hon. Friends the Member for the Mid-Division of Lanarkshire and the Member for the Elland Division. In an answer on the 11th March last to my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, I explained the position of soldiers in regard to trade union meetings.