§ 17. Mr. JESSONasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Eastbourne Corporation have discharged their civilian musicians and are now employing Army bands in their places; that these civilian musicians are mostly demobilised men and old soldiers who have served their country; that most of them are now drawing the Government's out-of-work donation through being deprived of their means of livelihood by the employment of Army bands; and whether he will consider the desirability of so altering the regulations under which Army bands may be employed as to prevent undue competition with civilian musicians?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNothing is known at the War Office as to what arrangements the Eastbourne Corporation have made regarding civilian musicians. It is not proposed to alter the regulations under which Army bands may accept engagements. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that paragraph 1119A of the King's Regulations provides that engagements are not to 1296 be accepted on terms which are lower than those which would, in the same circumstances, be offered to a civilian band.