§ 2. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for War why permission is no longer given for Royal Signals units of the Territorial Army to provide voluntary communications services at agricultural shows.
§ Mr. HeadOur policy is that troops and equipment should only be used for this kind of work if it has real training value. I have come to the conclusion that, in the cases mentioned by my hon. Friend, there is little or no training value.
§ Sir F. MedlicottIs my right hon. Friend aware that an arrangement of this kind has been popular both with the public and the troops at the Royal Norfolk Show for many years past, and will he give us an assurance that in this matter the War Office has not given way to pressure from the mandarins of the Electrical Trades Union?
§ Mr. HeadNo, Sir, that has been our policy. If it has training value we are only too glad to help, but we cannot let the Army go all over the place unless there is training value in it.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Blenkinsop.
§ Sir F. MedlicottOn a point of order. I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.