§ 9. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make it clear whether non-commissioned officers and men, when ordered by their officers to blanco their equipment or polish their brass or the soles of their boots in circumstances involving a breach of Army Council Instructions, are to disobey the Army Council Instructions or to disobey their officers; and what steps he will take to punish officers who issue such orders?
§ Sir J. GriggA soldier must obey the orders given him by his superior officers. If an officer gives an order which is contrary to an Army Council Instruction, it is the duty of his superior commander to take such disciplinary action as the circumstances of the case require. There is no instruction which forbids the blancoing of webbing.
§ Sir Robert YoungIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Instruction about these things is not being obeyed at all?
§ Sir J. GriggI am not aware of that.
§ Mr. PrittWhy is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of it, when I write two or three letters a week to him on the subject, setting out the details? Does he read his letters?
§ Sir J. GriggYes; and I answer the letters. They require a good deal of investigation, and some of the hon. and learned Member's statements are not substantiated.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs it not a fact that the Instruction is not being carried out, particularly, I believe, in the Household Cavalry? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to make them understand that it is a waste of energy to spend so much time in blancoing?
Major PethcrickDoes not a smartly-turned-out regiment fight very much better than one which is not smartly turned out?
§ Mr. PrittHow many times has the right hon. Gentleman heard the words: "Britain blancoes while Russia bleeds"?