§ 8. Brigadier-General CHARTERISasked the Secretary of State for War what were the general arrangements under which the various religious denominations agreed to come under the unification scheme forming the Royal Army Chaplains Department; and whether there was any undertaking, implied or expressed, as regards the specific number of appointments as assistant Chaplains-General and/or Deputy Chaplains-General for each or any denomination?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)The general arrangements for the filling of the higher posts in the Royal Army Chaplains Department, which were unanimously accepted by the Interdenominational Advisory Committee on Army Chaplaincy Services in 1920 and again in 1924, are as follow:
Appointment to the higher posts are made by the Secretary of State on the recommendation of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State after consideration of the personal qualifications of all those who are eligible, due regard being had to the desirability of ensuring that all the Churches are adequately represented if they can furnish suitably qualified Chaplains and to the special circumstances of the post.When the Chaplain-General belongs to the Church of England, the Deputy-Chaplain-General is appointed from one of the other Churches.As regards appoinments as Assistant Chaplains-General, the Assistant Chaplain-General in Scotland is normally a Presbyterian, and if the post of Deputy-Chaplain-General is not held by a Wesleyan or a representative of the United Board, each of these Communions has allotted to it an appointment as Assistant Chaplain-General.
Mr. THOMASWithout pretending to understand all that, may we take it that in substance the answer is that the spiritual needs of the Army are well looked after?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCertainly, quite safely.
§ Mr. THURTLECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any provision is being made for the appointment of ethical or agnostic chaplains?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo, Sir.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTAINWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "all other Churches"? How many does that take in?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am afraid I must have notice of that question.
§ Brigadier-General CHARTERISHas the appointment of Assistant Chaplain-General any relation to the number of members in each of the denominations, or are the United Board and the Wesleyans each entitled to an Assistant Chaplain-General?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIf my hon. and gallant Friend will examine my answer as carefully as it was prepared, he will see that the balance has been properly kept.