§ 10. Mr. GARDNERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will state the number of cases of mutiny, if any, ascribed to political propaganda or to political influences which have occurred in the Navy, together with instances and the number of persons, sailors and civilians, concerned?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)Political propaganda and political influences are sometimes to be counted among the causes of naval mutinies. But the causes of a mutiny are usually many and complex, and for that reason it would not be just to ascribe to political propaganda or influences every mutiny in which those influences have had a part.
§ 18. Mr. GARDNERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of cases of mutiny, if any, ascribed to political propaganda or to political 1763 influences which have occurred in the Army, together with instances and the number of persons, soldiers and civilians, concerned?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Douglas Hacking)There have been two incidents of mutiny during the past 10 years. The first was at Jamaica in 1929 and the second was at Singapore in 1932. In each case three soldiers were convicted by court-martial of charges of joining in a mutiny. How far these cases can be ascribed to political propaganda or to political influence is a matter of conjecture on which I am not prepared to pronounce.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDoes not the small number of mutinies show that there is no necessity for any special legislation?
§ Mr. RADFORDIs the fact that our men are proof against these incitements to mutiny any reason why we should allow them to be exposed to them?
§ Mr. HACKINGAttempts have been made to incite the troops to disaffection, and I understand that that side of the question is now the subject of legislation.
§ Sir P. HARRISCannot we rely on the common sense of our soldiers to make them bullet proof against these incitements?