§ 23. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the amendments directed by A.F.O. 757/1924 to be made to A.F.O. 3,349/1922 have converted the latter order solely into instructions for officers and men of the Royal Navy who wish to stand as Parliamentary candidates; and whether, in view of the fact that, previous to 1018, the restrictive rules regarding Parliamentary elections were not at that period codified and that the custom and rule of the Service prior to 1018 gave no encouragement to, but discountenanced the participation in, political campaigns of serving naval officers and men, he will consider the codifying of the unwritten rule amended in the light of present-day customs, and extend the ordinary political rights of other electors to officers and men of the Royal Navy?
§ Sir B. FALLEWould it be a reversal of previous practice?
Major HORE-BF.LISHAIs the hon. Member aware that it has not always been the practice to deprive sailors of their civilian rights?