HC Deb 16 January 1945 vol 407 cc5-7
8. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of Stale for War whether he is aware that A.C.I. No. 1527, of 1944, which asserts that it is an offence against King's Regulations for all ranks to permit their names to be published for political purposes or to sign public petitions, circulars and appeals dealing with political matters, has no justification in law; and whether he will have this misrepresentation of the legal position withdrawn.

Sir J. Grigg

The A.C.I. referred to does not make the assertion mentioned in the first part of the hon. and learned Member's Question. It says in effect that an officer or soldier who permits his name or opinion on a Service matter to be published for political purposes or adds, or allows his name to be added to a public petition, circular or appeal dealing with political matters, may be held to have contravened the King's Regulations. The question whether in a particular instance there has been a contravention of those Regulations is one for determination by the responsible military authority. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. Pritt

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is almost impossible for any intelligent lawyer to suggest that the matters suggested in the first part of the Army Council Instruction could be offences at all; and is it not just a blackmailing threat?

Sir J. Grigg

It is not in the least a threat; it is a warning.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the prohibition of the expression of political opinions by Army officers apply to General Scobie, who recently expressed opinions about minorities in Greece?

Sir J. Grigg

If the hon. Member wants to ask a question about General Scobie in a particular instance, he should put it down.

9. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of State for War what reasons the commanding officer of No. 11 convalescent camp, C.M.F., had for stopping the lecture on the International Brigade fixed and advertised for 13th September last; and whether he is aware that the soldier invited to give the lecture, who had done much to build up at that camp a fine occupational therapy department, was unexpectedly posted, shortly after the date of a previous question on that subject, to a remote camp where he is in charge of whitewashing and other general maintenance work.

Sir J. Grigg

I have nothing at present to add to the facts I have already given the hon. and learned Member about this case, but I am inquiring into the allegations made in the last part of his Question.

Mr. Pritt

Is the right hon. Gentleman inquiring also into the first part of the Question, because the only reason which he gave me previously for an officer doing a ridiculous thing, was that the officer had power to do it?

Sir J. Grigg

I do not agree that that is a fair summary of the letter which I wrote to the hon. and learned Member.

Mr. Gallacher

Are we to understand that a lecture on the International Brigade is prohibited in the British Army?

Sir J. Grigg

The hon. Member is to understand nothing except that the arrangement of lectures in a unit is a matter for the commanding officer.

Mr. Gallacher

May we take it from that answer that the Minister's job is to ensure that Members will understand nothing?