§ 18. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for War approximately what percentage of officers and other ranks now volunteer to attend religious services and church parades, previously obligatory; whether those professing no 1218 particular denominational adherence are still classified as members of the Church of England; and whether he will now consider in future appointing Anglican and Free Church chaplains on a basis of numerical equality.
§ Mr. SoamesNo record is kept of the numbers who voluntarily attend religious services and church parades in the Army. It is laid down that a soldier's religious beliefs must be classified strictly in accordance with his own declaration. Army chaplains are already appointed for the Anglican and the Free Churches in proportion to the total number of each denomination in the Army as shown by a census undertaken every five years.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is rather misleading? Without any implicit or explicit hostility towards the Church of England—quite the reverse—is it not true to say that, broadly speaking, the Free Churches numerically are about the same strength as the Anglican Church and that those who put themselves down as "C. of E." very often are quite indifferent? In the circumstances, will not he consider this matter again?
§ Mr. SoamesThe only proper way to record a soldier's religion is to rely on his declaration when he is asked for it.