HC Deb 21 April 1948 vol 449 cc1814-7
Major Haughton

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War why no members of the Territorial Army are to be among the troops lining the streets for Their Majesties' Silver Wedding procession next Monday.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Shinwell)

The Territorial Army will, in fact, be very well represented, as the Honourable Artillery Company, the senior Regiment in the Territorial Army, will provide the guard of honour at St. Paul's Cathedral. To avoid taking men away from industry it was decided that in the broadest national interest other Territorial Army units should not be called upon to line the route of the procession. The Army units lining the route will, therefore, be units of the Regular Army immediately available in London.

Major Houghton

Is the Minister aware that those of us who are connected with the Territorial Associations and with the Supplementary Reserve pay the greatest honour to the Honourable Artillery Company, but with its tremendous traditions we are inclined to think about it as being more regular than the Regular Army itself and I am pleading on behalf of the rank and file of the Territorial Army? As regards the second part of the Minister's reply, I am sure he is aware that the Government have invited employers all over the country to release men to do their training, and if attendance at a ceremonial parade of this kind is going to obstruct production, how about the other scheme?

Mr. Shinwell

I am fully aware of the vital importance of the volunteer element in the Territorial Army, but we have received no representations from responsible Territorial Forces' Associations to be represented on the route of this procession. As regards the release of Territorials by employers for training purposes, that, of course, as the hon. and gallant Member well knows, only occurs during periods of camp.

Mr. Grimston

Is it not a fact that representations were made in another place? Does the right hon. Gentleman ask the House to believe that it is impossible to find some token detachment of the Territorial Army without interfering with industry?

Mr. Shinwell

As I said, no representations have come to me from the Territorial Forces' Associations. There have been individual representations from hon. Members or members of another place, but these are quite a different matter. They may not be truly representative in character, but represent merely personal opinions or the opinions of a few. As regards liberating Territorials for this purpose, no doubt it could have been done, but we are anxious to cause the least possible disturbance to industry.

Mr. Oliver Stanley

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether there were any previous occasions of this nature on which the Territorial Army were not represented, and, secondly, if he made inquiries from the responsible authorities' in the Territorial Army whether it would not be possible to send a detachment without any interference with industry whatsoever?

Mr. Shinwell

As regards the first part of the supplementary question, the right hon. Gentleman well knows that it would require notice.

Mr. Stanley

Why?

Mr. Shinwell

Because I have not the information in my possession.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Why not?

An Hon. Member

Why should he?

Mr. Shinwell

Unfortunately, I was unable to anticipate the supplementary question. I did not know it was coming along. As 'regards the rest, the remarks seem to me to be quite irrelevant.

Brigadier Head

Is the Secretary of State aware that very recently he informed the House that he personally was taking every possible step to stimulate voluntary enlistment in the Territorial Army, and has he not here missed a glorious opportunity?

Mr. Shinwell

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, we are taking all possible steps to stimulate recruitment for the Territorial Army and we are meeting with some measure of success. We are hoping to meet with greater success in future. We are quite satisfied that although this might have been desirable it is impracticable in the existing circumstances.

Mr. Keeling

Does the Secretary of State recall that only six weeks ago he accepted a Motion in this House so that the links between the Territorial Army and the community should be strengthened? Is he aware that the boycotting of the Territorial Army on this great national occasion will be deeply resented? Will he consider, even at this eleventh hour, having a token representation which could easily be found without any interference with industry at all?

Mr. Shinwell

I strongly resent the imputation that we are boycotting the Territorial Army. I repeat that we received no representations from the Territorial Forces' Associations in the London area in connection with the matter.

Mr. Keeling

It was for the War Office to take the initiative.

Mr. Shinwell

As I have said, the Honourable Artillery Company will be represented.

Mr. Keeling

They are there as of right.

Mr. Shinwell

Nobody is there as of right.

Mr. Keeling

Yes, they are.

Mr. Shinwell

There is no question of right about it. We will discuss that on another occasion when it is more appropriate, but the integration of the Territorial element of the British Army with the Regular Forces is in full swing.

Mr. Nicholson

Has the right hon. Gentleman heard of the Royal Fusiliers and the City of London Regiment, and are they not Territorial units which have a right to be represented on this occasion?

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. Gentleman will be surprised at what I know about the London Territorial Regiment.

Mr. Nicholson

Why not answer my question?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is this not an appropriate occasion for honouring the Salvation Army?