HC Deb 18 March 1935 vol 299 cc972-4

11.43 p.m.

Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWN

I beg to move, in page 2, line 18, after "unit," to insert: or where a commanding officer so desires to the regimental association of that regiment. I wish these words to be inserted because I do not know what happens to a fund in certain circumstances. Suppose that there is no commanding officer and no unit. Suppose that some of the certified regiments on the list have been altered or disbanded. I know of one instance in the cavalry, where a regiment has been converted into a machine gun corps, though the association goes on. The men of the corps are there, with their wives and their children, and the fund is carried on by the association. It could not be carried on by the commanding officer of the unit in such a case. In nearly every regiment included under the United Services Trustees the commanding officer of the regiment is a member of the association and probably the most influential member. The associations merely keep in touch with the regiment and spend money on charitable objects, in which work the commanding officer has the chief hand. It seems to me that it would be as well to recognise that practically every regiment has now its regimental association and in case the regiment cannot deal with it, most commanding officers would like to have this fund dealt with by the regimental association. I move this Amendment in order to give an opportunity to my right hon. Friend for a statement on that point.

11.46 p.m.

Mr. HACKING

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for having given me notice that he was going to move this Amendment. I do not think he need be anxious in connection with any one of these 35 units in question. I believe none of them has been disbanded.

Brigadier-General BROWN

They may be.

Mr. HACKING

In any event at the present moment I am advised the Secretary of State is bound to see that the money gets to the regiment and if it gets to the regiment, it must go to the commanding officer. I am further informed that this Clause as drafted would enable the commanding officer to call in any regimental association and get the assistance of that association if it is desired that it should so assist. Therefore, I think the Amendment is unnecessary. It would merely call attention to what is already possible under the terms of the Bill.

Brigadier-General BROWN

In calling in a regimental association, can the commanding officer place the account with the regimental association and make them responsible for accounting to the War Office for it?

Mr. HACKING

Up to a point. The position is that responsibility must be with the commanding officer. The commanding officer, if he accepts responsibility, can do as he likes but the responsibility must remain with him.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill, reported, with Amendments; as amended, considered; read the Third time, and passed, with Amendments.

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.

It being after Half-past Eleven of the Clock, Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER adjourned the House, without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.

Adjourned at Eleven Minutes before Twelve o'Clock.