HC Deb 08 July 1941 vol 373 cc7-9
7. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for War the present regulations in the Army with regard to the association of senior and junior non-commissioned officers and private soldiers when off duty?

Captain Margesson

Except as regards sergeants and corporals messes, there are no regulations on this question, which, I think, can safely be left to the good sense of those concerned.

Mr. Mander

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are certain units in which instructions have been issued for these ranks not to associate when off duty, and will he make it perfectly clear that no such regulations exist?

Captain Margesson

I am very glad to give publicity to that point. There are no such regulations, as I have said in my Answer to-day, except as regards sergeants and corporals messes.

Mr. Mander

If I send my right hon. and gallant Friend the name of the particular unit, will he be good enough to communicate with the commanding officer?

Captain Margesson

I shall be glad to look into it.

13. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the ban on officers entering the Bournemouth Municipal Pavilion ball-room because they would have to associate with non-commissioned officers and men; whether he appreciates that this degree of segregation has caused considerable resentment, and is not in accordance with democratic and commonsense principles; whether a similar instruction exists in other Commands than the Southern Command; and whether he will take steps to have such an instruction withdrawn?

Captain Margesson

I have seen reports in the Press of the instruction to which my hon. Friend refers. There is, of course, no objection in principle to the association of officers and other ranks when off duty, and I understand that the instruction in question was not intended to impose any general veto but merely to deal with a particular case in which the conditions of such association were regarded as prejudicial to military discipline. In the circumstances I see no reason to interfere with the decision of the local military authorities. I am unable to say whether any similar instruction has been issued in other commands.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that the explanation given by representatives of the Southern Command respecting this incident would apply elsewhere, and that, therefore, some further inquiry should be made to see whether these rather superficial explanations should not be put on one side in favour of fairer principles?

Captain Margesson

Conditions elsewhere may not be the same as in this particular case. That is why I cannot say what instructions have been issued elsewhere. I understand there is to be a meeting between the local authority at. Bournemouth and the military authorities; it has not yet taken place.

Mr. Granville

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a newspaper report that this ban has been rescinded? Is that so?

Captain Margesson

I have not seen that report.

Mr. Sorensen

Is it not true that one reason given was that a soldier returning to a seat with a partner would find it difficult to ask an officer to give up his seat to a lady?