Privates Edwards and Anderson (Hansard, 1 August 1962)

§ 33. Mr. Paget
asked the Secretary of State for War from whom a complaint was received as to the conduct of Privates Edwards and Anderson; and what was the disturbance which they caused

§ Mr. Ramsden
It was my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport who complained that the conduct of these soldiers was disturbing him.

§ Mr. Paget
What did they do?

§ Mr. Speaker
Are we involved in any proceedings here? I should like to be sure about that.

§ Mr. Paget
No proceedings, Mr. Speaker.

§ Mr. Ramsden
According to my right hon. Friend's statement, the soldiers marched past his compartment on the train making a great deal of noise and shouting, "Marples is in there". Also, they entered the compartment and woke him up.

§ Mr. Paget
As a consequence of this incident, two young soldiers were met by an escort, summarily arrested and marched to barracks. Is not this quite outrageous?

§ Mr. Ramsden
No, Sir. They were not arrested and marched to barracks. I believe that my right hon. Friend, who is, I think, the only ex-R.S.M. in the House, correctly appreciated the situation on the train After his action, he was able to complete his journey undisturbed. I believe that the commandant, who saw the men on their return to barracks and, with a caution, dismissed the charge, also correctly appreciated the situation.

§ Mr. Grimond
Although the commandant appears to have correctly appreciated the situation, was not this one of the most noncommital and complimentary remarks made about the Minister of Transport for some time, and was it really a breach of discipline to wake the right hon Gentleman up?

§ Mr. Speaker
I do not think that that falls within the scope of the Minister's responsibility.