HC Deb 08 November 1966 vol 735 cc1137-8
23. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being made, as in the past, for a wreath to be laid at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in commemoration of the Rhodesians of all races who fell in the two world wars.

Mr. Bowden

I will lay a wreath, on behalf of Rhodesia, in remembrance of all Commonwealth dead of the two world wars.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Does that mean that there will be no wreath for Rhodesia on the Cenotaph, as in the past? Is it not desirable that an appropriate Rhodesian personality should do this? Will the right hon. Gentleman do everything possible to speed a settlement so that, next year, a wreath may be laid by the High Commissioner of independent Rhodesia?

Mr. Bowden

I have already said that I myself will lay a wreath on Sunday next on behalf of Rhodesia in commemoration of the world dead, of the dead of all nations who died in the last war. I will lay this wreath on behalf of Rhodesia myself. I took this decision three or four weeks ago.

Mr. Hastings

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a statement to the House about the circumstances in which the pipe band of the Scots Guards was apparently forbidden to undertake an engagement which it had made with the Anglo-Rhodesian Society on Remembrance Day?

Mr. Bowden

The use of the band for this or for any other purpose is a matter for the Secretary of State for Defence and not for me, but there has been a Commonwealth interest in this and I ought to point out that it is against Queen's Regulations for an Army band to be used on behalf of an organisation for any purpose which has a political objective.