HC Deb 20 November 1940 vol 365 cc1979-80
58. Mr. Muff

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether, with a view to the greater safety and convenience of traffic, he will order soldiers on the march to keep to the right on the public highway?

Mr. Law

The orders at present are that, when troops are marching on roads in formed bodies during darkness, lookout men are put out at a suitable distance in front and rear to warn drivers of the proximity of troops. The look-out men carry lanterns suitably dimmed, the lantern in front showing a white light and that in rear a red light. It is not considered advisable to order troops in formed bodies to keep to the right, any more than it would be to order slow moving vehicles to do so. I understand that individuals are advised to walk on the right so that they may see and avoid an approaching vehicle. The conditions are different in the case of formed bodies.