HC Deb 06 May 1919 vol 115 cc747-8
61. Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is any Regulation in existence which constitutes it a breach of discipline for a sailor to bring to the notice of the Member of Parliament who represents him any reasonable complaint or grievance which he is desirous should be inquired into?

Dr. MACNAMARA

Articles 8 and 9 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions provide that any man has the right of representing any cause of complaint or grievance in the first instance to the captain of his ship, and, subsequently, as the case may require, to the Officer Commanding the Squadron, the Commander-in-Chief, and the Board of Admiralty in the order given. Any other method of obtaining redress from a superior authority is forbidden. This, of course, applies to both officers and men. Nevertheless, it has not been the practice at the Admiralty to regard it as a breach of discipline for a rating to address his Member of Parliament.

Sir F. HALL

Under the altered circumstances, by which all these naval ratings have now got their vote, cannot some alteration be made so as not to make it a breach of discipline for these men to communicate with their Member of Parliament?

Dr. MACNAMARA

My hon. and gallant Friend did not follow the last part of the answer—"Nevertheless, it has not been the practice of the Admiralty to regard it as a breach of discipline for a rating to address his Member of Parliament."

Sir F. HALL

May I press whether there should not be some alteration in the Regulation, so as to bring it up to date?

Dr. MACNAMARA

That is a very unfair thing. What I am anxious to make clear is that it has not been regarded as a breach of discipline.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not a fact that a great number of men have applied to Members of Parliament, that their representations have been submitted to the Financial Secretary, that they have always received courteous replies, and that their names have never been disclosed?

Dr. MACNAMARA

As regards the first part, the answer I have already given goes to show that it is not the custom to regard it as a breach of discipline. It ill becomes me to answer the last part.

Lieutenant-Commander KENWORTHY

Can that answer be circulated with the Orders?

Dr. MACNAMARA

I think I have made the matter clear.