HC Deb 10 April 1963 vol 675 cc1272-3
39. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will investigate the circumstances, of which details have been supplied by the hon. Member for Brixton, in which a model was permitted by the military authorities to use a sentry box outside St. James's Palace for a fashion display; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ramsden

The photographer who used this sentry box as background for a fashion advertisement did not ask to be allowed to do so. The box is in a public street and it would be difficult to stop members of the public being photographed against it when the sentry is away from it.

Mr. Lipton

Why is the Under-Secretary answering this Question instead of the Secretary of State for War, who knows more about these things? Will the Under-Secretary say whether this kind of thing really helps to preserve the dignity of the Services?

Mr. Ramsden

I think that I might answer both parts of that supplementary question by asking why the hon. Gentleman is asking it at all.

Mr. Shinwell

Would the Minister give this further consideration? Has it occurred to him that St. James's Palace would look very much more attractive if we replaced the soldier in the sentry box by the model?