§ 9. Major Petoasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of his permission for the mention of specific names of regiments engaged in fighting and the 931 heartening effect that these announcements have had on public opinion, it will be possible to include the Regular, yeomanry and mechanised cavalry regiments by name in precisely the same way as that adopted in connection with other branches of the service?
§ Captain MargessonAs I have stated on previous occasions, I am anxious to make public as much information as possible regarding units taking part in active operations, provided that no assistance is thereby afforded to the enemy. As my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, the mention of individual cavalry regiments raises rather different problems from the mention of the names of infantry regiments as a result of their different organisation, but I am looking into this aspect of the question further and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.
§ Major PetoIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the continuous withholding of the individuality of certain regiments is having a very depressing effect on officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men? They think there is a general feeling against the retention of individuality by cavalry regiments.
§ Captain MargessonI am a cavalry officer myself—or, at least, I was—andI cannot believe that any officer, warrant officer or other rank would really wish information which would be of assistance to the enemy to be given away. As I have said, I am looking into the matter further to see whether we can make some improvement.