HC Deb 11 February 1931 vol 248 cc383-5
26. Mr. MORLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what written instructions, if any, are issued to serving naval officers concerning their utterances in public speeches?

Mr. ALEXANDER

Apart from the prohibition from speaking at party or political meetings and demonstrations there is no regulation dealing specifically with the subject. It is well understood in the Navy, however, that serving officers are expected to exercise discretion in their public utterances and are liable to be called to account, if in the opinion of the Admiralty the occasion requires it.

Mr. MORLEY

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to the fact that it has been reported—

Mr. SPEAKER

This is a question which I have disallowed at the Table—

Mr. McSHANE

On a point of Order.

Mr. SPEAKER

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to finish my sentence. The hon. Member cannot bring in as a supplementary a question which has been disallowed at the Table.

Mr. McSHANE

On a point of Order. I should like to ask your guidance in relation to this matter. It is a question of serious public interest as to how it is possible for a private Member to deal with what is generally acknowledged to be a breach of an unwritten instruction, or at any rate of good taste and etiquette on the part of a particular officer in a public speech. I should like to know how it is possible for such a person to be dealt with?

Mr. SPEAKER

I cannot give the hon. Member guidance on that subject, but I can say that there are definite rules with regard to the putting down of questions with which I have to conform. I think that the net is sufficiently wide to allow of a good many questions being put.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

On the original question, may I ask a supplementary? Does that answer apply to the commander-in-chief of the home ports?

Mr. ALEXANDER

Yes. It applies to all serving officers, and, in view of the point that has been raised, I hope you, Mr. Speaker, will allow me to say that the report which is, apparently, in the minds of hon. Members has been made plain to me to have been incorrect, and I should have been grieved if it had been otherwise.

Commander SOUTHBY

Is it not a fact that this unwritten prohibition is most loyally observed by all officers serving?

Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

Are you aware that there is a calculated cabal on the other side of the House to prevent our asking supplementaries about Russia?

Mr. SPEAKER

There seem to be a good many asked.