HC Deb 13 February 1940 vol 357 cc564-5
27. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make it known to officers that no disciplinary action or victimisation must take place in cases where serving soldiers, having made complaints through the correct Service channels, enter into communication with their Parliamentary representatives?

Mr. Stanley

When a complaint made by a soldier to an hon. Member is referred to the local military authorities for investigation and report, it is usual to intimate that no disciplinary action is to be taken, but that the soldier's attention should be drawn to the Regulations.

38. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of communications he has received from hon. Members of this House, during each of the last four weeks, with regard to the cases of serving soldiers concerning their conditions of service, after having pursued the matter through the normal service channels?

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary and I receive several hundred letters from hon. Members every week, and to attempt the classification suggested would involve a disproportionate expenditure of time and trouble as well as delaying necessary action.

Mr. Mander

May I take it that there is no desire to interfere with the practice of serving soldiers communicating with their Parliamentary representative in such circumstances?

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary answered a Question on that point last week, and the answer was that the proper and, in most cases, the quickest way of getting grievances remedied is to use the channels open to the Services.

Mr. Mander

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am referring to cases where it has been impossible to obtain a remedy through the ordinary channels, and is there not an opportunity for a man to communicate with his Member of Parliament?

Mr. Stanley

That Question has already been answered.