§ 72. Sir Charles Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a United Nations parade and drum-head service were held at Risca, Monmouthshire, on Sunday evening last; that the Home Guard and all the other local services were there in, full strength, but that the unit of the Regular Army stationed there did not attend, although invited to do so; whether any orders to this effect had been given; and who was responsible for the refusal?
§ Mr. SandysThe only regular unit at Risca is one Royal Army Service Corps transport company. I understand that the company commander would have been only too willing to send a party of soldiers to represent the Army at this ceremony, but that the unit's military duties on that day made it impossible for him to spare sufficient men to provide an adequate detachment.
§ Sir C. EdwardsThat cannot be true, because I myself saw a couple of dozen men walking about who ought to have been in the parade.
§ Mr. SandysI understand that not more than 10 men would have been available to represent the Army at this ceremony, and the company commander did not feel that that would be an adequate representation.
§ Sir C. EdwardsI saw a dozen, and spoke to them.