British Forces, Germany (American Unit Trust)

HC Deb 27 April 1966 vol 727 cc676-7

8. Mr. Randall

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the activities of sales representatives of the American Unit Trust in so far as concerns the official permission given to them to address meetings of British Forces in Germany.

Mr. Ennals

Commanding officers of Army and Royal Air Force units have authority, at their discretion, to admit sales representatives to their units. I have no information of dealings with this particular organisation.

Mr. Randall

Does not my hon. Friend agree that this raises the whole question of the propriety of the British Army authorities allowing this sort of pressurised salesmanship? If it is allowed for the sale of American unit trusts, why should it not be allowed for any other organisation? Would not my hon. Friend agree that there would be serious criticism if that were permitted?

Mr. Ennals

As I have said, this is a matter for commanding officers to decide. Such permission where it is granted by commanding officers does not in any way give any official recognition to the organisation concerned and is valid only for the unit for which the permission is granted.

Mr. Bellenger

What is the procedure under which entry can be made to military camps for this purpose? Is it done in the N.A.A.F.I. canteen? Can a request come from soldiers to see sales representatives?

Mr. Ennals

No. The application has to be made to the commanding officer. Of course, where a sales representative wishes to visit people in their married quarters outside the unit area, that is a matter for individual decision and requires no approval.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is it not a fact that, perfectly validly, British unit trusts' units are sold to members of the Armed Forces in Germany and elsewhere? Why should there be discrimination against American unit trusts?

Mr. Ennals

There is no intention to discriminate. I made it perfectly clear that the matter was for decision by commanding officers. No instructions have been given that there should be any form of discrimination.

Sir G. Nabarro

And a very good answer, too.