§ 35. Mr. Cluseasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that pack drill is not allowed in the Navy, he will make it known to all commanding officers of shore establishments and ships at present using this form of punishment that it must cease?
§ 36. Mr. Walter Edwardsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval ratings undergoing No. 11 punishment are compelled to drill at the double for long periods with a rifle and a pack containing 60 pounds of sand; and will he take steps to abolish this method of dealing with men who, in most cases, have committed a minor offence?
Mr. AlexanderI am grateful to my hon. Friends for raising this matter. The answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Whitechapel (Mr. Edwards) on Wednesday, 7th April, was correct according to what we believed was the universal practice under the regulations. It has since come to notice that in a few cases drill in full marching order has been carried out and that there have been occasions on which sand has been substituted for Service equipment in the knapsack. In the opinion of the Board of Admiralty this is thoroughly undesirable, and when we learnt of it orders were immediately given that it should cease forthwith. In future any drill of this kind will only be carried out in drill order which, for Naval ratings, is web belt, side arms, gaiters and rifle.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs my right hon. Friend aware of the great satisfaction his reply will give to the men in the Navy; and will he look into the position of the officers 1678 who have been concerned in the matter of this unnecessary punishment with a view to having them transferred to other posts?
Mr. AlexanderOf course, full inquiries have been made in each case. I would not like to give an undertaking of the sort which my hon. Friend desires, but I can say that there may be cases where there has been a genuine misinterpretation of the Regulation, and I hope that any misunderstanding will now be completely removed.