HC Deb 03 May 1955 vol 540 cc1501-2
34. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has examined the mess rules of the Officers' Mess, 2nd Basic Training Battalion, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement, with particular reference to sheet 3, paragraph 10, in which rules for dress on dining-in nights and regimental guest nights, contrary to Queen's Regulations, are stated to be in accordance with the direction of a War Office letter.

Mr. Head

I have examined the mess rules, of which the hon. Gentleman sent me a copy. Paragraph 10 is not in accordance with Army Council Instructions and I have given orders that it shall be amended. As I would have said in reply to a previous Question, which in fact was not asked, I am specially drawing the attention of all commanding officers to the existing rules.

35. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now verified the dates on which Mr. P. J. R. Breslin sold his Service dress, notified senior officers in his battalion that he had done so, and attended dinner in mess on regimental guest nights wearing battledress; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Head

Yes, Sir. I have gone into this question most carefully. On the first occasion when this happened, the commanding officer knew that Mr. Breslin had Service dress and asked the company commander to ensure that he wore it on future occasions. I am informed that the company commander did not speak to Mr. Breslin nor did he inform the commanding officer that Mr. Breslin had sold his Service dress. The commanding officer was, therefore, unaware of what had happened, and when Mr. Breslin appeared for a second time in battledress the commanding officer assumed that his instructions, sent through the company commander, had been ignored.

Mr. Driberg

Was the commanding officer in order in the first instance in sending such a message instructing this officer to wear Service dress?

Mr. Head

He was perfectly in order in asking the company commander to find out why Mr. Breslin had not worn his Service dress which he believed him to have—[HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] That is perfectly in order, because he thought he had the dress but had purposely not worn it. As I pointed out, where the commanding officer was wrong was in the drawing up of the mess rules.

Mr. Shinwell

In order to clear up any misunderstanding, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether Service dress is paid for by the officer and, therefore, he is entitled to dispose of it as he pleases.

Mr. Head

He was perfectly entitled to dispose of it as he pleased. That has never been in question.