HC Deb 19 January 1944 vol 396 cc168-70
49. Sir H. Williams

asked the Prime Minister under what regulation, applicable to all the forces of the Crown, the War Office forbade the honourable and gallant Member for Skipton from addressing a public meeting outside his own constituency.

The Prime Minister

Paragraph 541 (a) of the King's Regulations is the one which is involved. I consider, however, that the question should be dealt with on broader grounds. It is the right of a Member of Parliament to decide that his Parliamentary duties must claim priority over any military obligations he has accepted or incurred. If he wishes, as many hon. Members have done, to combine the dual function he must observe a certain measure of restraint and discretion in his conduct. Should he fail to do this, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Secretary of State for War or Air must be the judges of when to invite him to concentrate his attention exclusively upon his Parliamentary duties. I am glad to think that in so many cases in this country it has been found possible for Members of this House to combine effective Parliamentary service with an honourable part in the active defence of the country.

Mr. G. Strauss

Does it mean that where a Member has elected to serve in the House as well as the Armed Forces he is debarred from speaking at a public meeting outside his own constituency?

The Prime Minister

He must conform to the Regulations but, of course, at a certain point it might be suggested to him to confine his efforts entirely to the Parliamentary and political sphere.

Mr. Strauss

Would any damage be done if the Regulation were amended?

The Prime Minister

There is no intention of amending the Regulation.

Sir H. Williams

Is the Prime Minister aware that a large number of Members had no knowledge of this Regulation and have addressed meetings all over the country? Would it not be worth while to re-examine the Regulation?

The Prime Minister

I do not think it is necessary. They certainly have knowledge of it now. I think very few things have been more successful than this system of having Members serving both in the Fighting Forces, where so many have given their lives and others have won distinction, and at the same time continuing as active Members of the House. It is a most remarkable achievement.

Sir Richard Acland

In view of the fact that so many Members have succeeded in serving in the Armed Forces and in addressing a certain number of public meetings without causing trouble, would not the right hon. Gentleman say that the War Office was a little abrupt in acting so speedily in the case of this Member?

The Prime Minister

I do not know. I should not think he was singled out for any particular distinction.