§ 3. Mr. PHILIP OLIVERasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the estimated cost of the transfer of Army bands from the high pitch to the low pitch; and what are the grounds for the transfer?
§ Mr. SHAWI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 17th March last to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the change has taken place, and whether all the military bands have been transferred from one pitch to another?
§ Mr. OLIVERMay I ask what is the result?
§ Mr. SHAWThe result is that the changes have been effected with the complete approbation of everybody concerned.
§ Mr. OLIVERDoes the change meet with the complete approbation of the civilian bands?
§ Mr. SHAWI cannot speak for the civilians. I can only speak from my information as to the military bands.
§ Mr. PYBUSMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has the slightest knowledge of what this change of pitch will mean?
§ Mr. SHAWYes. I come from the north of England, where brass bands are a part of our lives; consequently I know.