HC Deb 19 February 1946 vol 419 cc946-7
26. Mr. Benn Levy

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet able to make a statement on restoring to British Service men the right to marry whom they please, of whatsoever nationality; and if he will clarify the circumstances of and the authority for the existing ban.

Mr. Lawson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 12th February.

Mr. Levy

Will the Minister tell the House why, in view of the fact that no questions of military security can any longer be involved, it is not possible for him to give a straight answer to this straight question, and whether, moreover, this so-called ban has, in fact, any legal validity whatever?

Mr. Lawson

As the hon. Member and the House know, it is not a matter for me to settle at all. It is outside my Department.

Mr. Levy

If it is outside my right hon. Friend's Department, I must really protest that I should have been referred to his Department when my Question was originally put down to the Prime Minister.