HC Deb 12 December 1946 vol 431 cc1330-1
48. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government authorised Field-Marshal Montgomery to state to senior officers in Austria that one of the considerations which weighed most with the Cabinet in its decision to introduce conscription was the belief that the national morale would benefit as a result of youth spending a year and a half in the Services.

49. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent statement made by Field-Marshal Montgomery in Venezia Giulia, to the effect that demobilisation would be speeded up after the first three months of 1947 had the authority of the Government; and whether, in view of Field-Marshal Montgomery's frequent speeches on a variety of topics, the relevant part of King's Regulations which forbids public speeches by serving soldiers has been abrogated in favour of Field-Marshal Montgomery.

The Prime Minister

Field-Marshal Montgomery did not make any public speech. He did address a private meeting of senior officers in Austria. I have ascertained from the Field-Marshal that it is entirely untrue that he made the alleged statements contained in my hon. Friends' Questions.

Mr. Blackburn

May I ask the Prime Minister to make it plain that in the Government's view both the need for, and the duration of, conscription is governed by strictly military considerations?

The Prime Minister

Certainly, Sir

Mr. Wyatt

Would the Prime Minister be good enough to answer the second part of my Question? Is he aware that King's Regulations, paragraph 547a, state very clearly that no serving officer or soldier may communicate his views either directly or indirectly to the public, and whether or not Field-Marshal Montgomery did that?

The Prime Minister

I am afraid that the hon. Member could not have heard my reply. Field-Marshal Montgomery did not make a public speech at all. I know of nothing in King's Regulations which forbids a field-marshal or any one addressing a private meeting of senior officers.

Mr. H. Strauss

Is it not usual when unfounded allegations are contained in Questions of hon. Members that they should withdraw them?

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

The Prime Minister

This misstatement was made in a Press communication.