§ 13. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War what instructions have been issued to commanding officers, and what transport facilities have been arranged, to enable Members of Parliament serving in the Army to attend meetings of Parliament, visit their constituencies, and otherwise, so far as practicable, perform their Parliamentary duties?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI propose to answer this question more generally. The right of a Member of Parliament to attend upon the House cannot be impugned; but if such right were unreasonably or inappropriately invoked, it might become impossible for the military authorities to allow the Member in question to continue to serve with his unit. Normally these matters can readily be arranged between the serving Member and his commanding officer. Members can be trusted to judge rightly in the discharge of their obligations; and their services in the armed forces in time of war have always been highly valued by this House from the earliest days of Parliament. In these circumstances, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has arranged that serving Members will, in appropriate cases, receive similar transport facilities in the United Kingdom, to and from their units for the purpose of attending Parliament, to those which they now receive when travelling to and from their constituencies.
Mr. DavidsonWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "Members serving in the United Kingdom in appropriate cases "? Does that mean that any particular selection will be made?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaNo, Sir. The request for leave must be appropriately related to the intention for which these facilities are to be made available.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartNo doubt my Tight hon. Friend will recall that an order was issued to commanding officers before the war broke out with regard to the attendance in Parliament of Members serving in the Forces; does that order apply to war conditions?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI was not aware that any order was issued; but, obviously, the facilities available in time of peace are not so easily made available in time of war. I think I have shown the intention of the Government in this matter.