Regimental Ball, Gloucester (Dress)

HC Deb 10 April 1956 vol 551 cc3-4

3. Mr. D. Howell

asked the Secretary of State for War in what circumstances men of the Gloucestershire Regiment were dressed in period costume and armed with pike staffs at a ball at their depot at Reservoir Camp, Gloucester; whether this practice has his approval; and what action he is taking in the matter.

Mr. Head

The function to which the hon. Member refers was a ball which has for a very long time been held annually by the sergeants' mess of the Gloucestershire Regiment as part of the celebrations of the Battle of Alexandria on 21st March, 1801, the action in which the regiment earned the right to wear a badge at the back of their caps as well as one in front. At this ball it has long been the tradition for the Colours of the regiment to be guarded by men dressed, armed and drilled as in 1801. The men taking part are always volunteers.

I am in favour of the retention of regimental traditions.

Mr. Howell

Is the Minister aware that the then Under-Secretary of State for Air told me last October that this sort of nonsense would be ended in the Armed Forces? Why, in these circumstances, does the Army perpetuate this sort of thing with National Service men when the Air Force has given an undertaking not to do it? Does the Minister realise that one man lost twelve days' leave in order to take part in this?

Mr. Head

The hon. Gentleman is comparing like with very unlike. I think he must be referring to the question of airmen dressed as footmen. What is referred to in this Question is a regimental tradition. I think that the hon. Gentleman has been misled by what I must confess was a highly misleading report of this incident.

Mr. Wigg

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that on future occasions steps will be taken to make quite sure that the men who take part are volunteers?

Mr. Head

Yes, indeed.

Mr. Turner-Samuels

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that this presentation of the changing of the guard in its old form with the traditional costume was not nonsense at all, but was a presentation at which the Mayor, the High Sheriff of Gloucester and myself were present, and was a performance which was well applauded and which everyone appreciated? It can be criticised only by people who were not there; everybody who was there appreciated it.