§ 94. Sir ALFRED BEITasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the unemployment amongst musicians, few of whom are entitled to unemployment benefit, he will issue instructions restraining service bands from accepting municipal engagements at health and pleasure resorts?
§ Mr. COOPERMilitary bands are permitted to accept civil engagements because there is a public demand for their services, and are not permitted to do so on terms which are lower than those which would be offered in the same circumstances to a civilian band. I see no reason for altering the present policy in this matter.
§ Sir A. BEITIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the plight of these musicians is considerably worse now than it was when the matter was last raised, on account of the advent of talking pictures; and will he not therefore reverse his decision?
§ Mr. COOPERI cannot hold out any hope of the decision being reversed.