§ 46. Mr. Ronald Chamberlainasked the Prime Minister whether he will reconsider the present practice whereby a British officer still on the active list can make pronouncements on international policy without prior consultation with the Government.
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of the practice to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mr. ChamberlainIs it not extremely undesirable that high ranking officers like Field-Marshal Montgomery should be allowed to make highly inflammatory and warlike speeches, such as he made recently. Is that a desirable practice?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of any such case.
§ Earl WintertonIn justice to the distinguished officer against whom this Question is aimed, would the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that a seconded officer of His Majesty's Army has always been able to make statements of the kind referred to, and that some have even been Members of this House?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not had notice of what particular matter is alluded to, but Field-Marshal Montgomery is at present the servant of the Western Union Ministers of Defence.
§ Mr. ChamberlainWill my right hon. Friend read Field-Marshal Montgomery's speech, made ten days ago at the Hague, and consider giving him some kind of guidance as to what to say?
§ The Prime MinisterIf my hon. Friend will send me a copy I will look at it.