HC Deb 17 March 1919 vol 113 cc1740-1
General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for War to state what are the official arrangements in connection with the forthcoming entry of the Household Troops into London on Saturday next?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Arrangements are being made for all the Guards' Battalions who served in France to make a formal entry into London on Saturday next. They will march past His Majesty at Buckingham Palace and will proceed in procession past the Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor and the civil authorities of the City will be assembled. Demobilised men of the Guards who fought in France will march with their battalions, and wounded men who are unable to march will be conveyed in suitable vehicles. It is hoped to include in the procession representatives of the other arms of the Service—Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and Royal Army Medical Corps, etc., who fought with and formed part of the Guards' Division in France, and also the Divisional and Brigade Staffs. An official programme will be issued shortly, and copies will be made available in the Library.

Mr. BILLING

Is it proposed at some future date to give a similar opportunity for other regiments who have fought in this War to march through London?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I hope that it may be possible as time goes on to provide for similar entries into the large cities of this country of troops connected with those districts who have taken part in the War, but it will take some organisation and arrangement on account of the method of demobilisation and transport, and I have no programme ready at the moment.

Major-General Sir NEWTON MOORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an opportunity for overseas troops to take part in a procession prior to their return?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I will consider that, but not for next Saturday.

Captain O'GRADY

Will similar arrangements be made in respect to the Navy?

Colonel THORNE

And the Flying Squadrons?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am not prepared to answer that offhand. I understand that special arrangements for the Guards is only natural because they have always been associated with London.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Did the right hon. Gentleman understand the Minister for War to say he was about to make arrangements for similar processions in other parts of the country for the troops, and will the right hon. Gentleman now say whether it is proposed to make similar arrangements for the Navy?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must put his question down.