HC Deb 04 June 1946 vol 423 cc1817-8
83. Major N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give an assurance that Scottish officers belonging to Scottish infantry regiments will be posted, if they express a strong preference to serve with a Scottish unit, to some Scottish unit.

Mr. Lawson

I regret that it would be impossible for me to give such an assurance. In view of the present shortage, it is essential that officers should be posted to wherever the demand is greatest. Nevertheless, officers of Scottish Infantry regiments are posted to serve with battalions of their own or affiliated regiments whenever this is possible.

Mr. Churchill

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that he will do his utmost to support the regimental system and the spirit of esprit de corps?

Mr. Lawson

Yes, Sir. I gave that assurance during my Estimates speech, and elaborated that point. But, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, there are occasions when it is not possible to put men from a particular area into the regiment they desire to be put into.

Major Macpherson

Is the Minister doing his utmost to separate these officers, so that the maximum number of Scottish officers serve with Scottish regiments, and any English officers with them serve with English regiments?

An Hon. Member

That is a bit Irish.

Mr. Lawson

I can assure the hon. Member that in this question I am very careful, and I shall continue to watch that the principle I have laid down is carried out as far as possible.