HC Deb 17 July 1946 vol 425 cc1202-3
20. Mr. Sydney Silverman

asked fie First Lord of the Admiralty whether a sailor serving in the R.N. who writes to his Member of Parliament on a Service question affecting his personal service commits an offence against any regulations.

Mr. Alexander

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Lord President of the Council to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 19th November last.

Mr. Silverman

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is still considerable doubt, which seems to exist in his own Department, about this matter? Es he further aware that in a letter which was written to me, the following sentence appears: The rating's attention is being drawn to this, but there will be no question of taking disciplinary action for his breach of the regulations"? I would like my right hon. Friend to make quite clear whether there is a breach of the regulations or not.

Mr. Alexander

I have not seen the correspondence to which my hon. Friend refers. I will have a look at it. I myself am most anxious to prevent anything in the nature of a grievance arising in connection with communicating to Members of Parliament, although, on the other hand, I am also most anxious that ordinary matters which can be adjusted by the approach of sailors and soldiers to their normal authorities should not be the subject of constant communication with Members of Parliament. I would like to look into the circumstances of the case before making any further statement.

Mr. Silverman

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that everybody appreciates that it is better that these matters should be dealt with in the way that he suggests, but that, nevertheless, there is an overriding public interest in the necessity for making it clear that if a man writes to his Member of Parlia- ment on a matter relating to his own Service, he commits no offence against any regulations?

Mr. Alexander

I take that point and, on behalf of my Department, I rest on the statement made by the Lord President of the Council on 19th November.

Mr. Callaghan

Will my right hon. Friend make a clear statement to this effect in the next notice board issue of Admiralty Fleet Orders, because the men still do not know what their rights are?

Mr. Alexander

They must have missed some of my instructions.