§ 26. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War, whether it is the practice of the War Office to sanction the use of military bands at political fetes and garden parties; and whether his Department granted permission for a portion of the band of the Suffolk Regiment to play at the Conservative garden party on 23rd August at Boxted Hall?
§ Mr. PENNYIndividual applications for the services of Army bands are not referred to the War Office but are dealt with by the regimental authorities subject to certain general rules. The general rule is that Army bands should not play at political gatherings, but I am informed that in the case to which the hon. Member refers, it was not clear when the engagement was accepted that the occasion was a political one.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that Boxted Hall is in the Division represented by the Secretary of State for War, and will he tell us why the Minister is not present to-day, so that he may answer this question?
§ Mr. PENNYI regret to say that my right hon. Friend is away owing to illness. That is the reason why I have been asked to reply. Boxted Hall, as the hon. Member says, is in my right hon. Friend's constituency, but I might say that while the speeches were being made the band was taking tea.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that in all cases where military bands are permitted to attend Conservative galas, the members of the band are always at tea while speeches are being made?
§ Mr. SAKLATVALAWas there a keyhole to the door of the place where the band were taking tea'?