HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc639-40
1. Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure that the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace can be fully maintained on a daily basis during 1976.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. Robert C. Brown)

Regrettably, the level of operational and other unavoidable commitments falling on the Guards Division and other troops will not permit the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace to take place daily throughout the year. However, every effort will be made to ensure that the ceremony takes place daily from April to September, which is of course the main tourist season.

Mr. Hunt

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the intense disappointment that is caused to tourists and many other visitors to London who go to the Palace only to find that there is no ceremony on that day? Surely our defences must be in an even more parlous state than we had imagined if we cannot muster a handful of men just once a day to perform this ceremony, which is such a major tourist attraction for our country.

Mr. Brown

I think that the hon. Gentleman underestimates the effort that goes into the Changing of the Guard ceremony. While the primary role of the Household Troops in London is the performance of public duties, it is necessary to train for operational duty and to allow for periodic leave. Additionally, there is a commitment in respect of security duties, particularly in Northern Ireland, and for duty with the United Nations force.

Mr. Lipton

How much does it cost to put on this ceremony, which is one of the main tourist attractions in London? My hon. Friend's rather indecisive reply, that we shall have the ceremony for one month, or on alternate days, or at odd times, when the public are not informed beforehand, will cause a lot of disappointment to children and adults.

Mr. Brown

Offhand, I could not give an answer on how much the ceremony costs. I should need notice of that question. However, I believe that whatever the cost, it is well worth it. I believe that the majority of the people of this country would agree with me. I think that my hon. Friend is being less than fair in suggesting that we shall simply have the Changing of the Guard ceremony at odd intervals. I have already indicated that it will be carried on throughout the summer tourist season.

Mr. Townsend

I recognise the importance of this ceremony at Buckingham Palace, but may I try to persuade the Minister to review the whole situation? Is he aware that no fewer than 100 Regular soldiers are employed on guard duty at London and Windsor on an average day? Is it not time that some of these duties, particularly at Windsor, were taken over by such personnel as Beefeaters? Does the Minister not agree that it is high time that such fit, experienced and well-trained soldiers were employed on operational duties and not simply on static ceremonial sentry duty?

Mr. Brown

It seems that confusion reigns on the Opposition Benches. The hon. Member for Ravensbourne (Mr. Hunt) talked of a handful of men, and now the hon. Gentleman is talking about 100 men at a time. Bearing in mind the need for reliefs, that figure becomes about 300 men. I think that we have got it just about right.

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