§ 2.41 p.m.
§ LORD DOWDINGMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the slightly differing attitude of the Ministers of the three Service Departments towards Spiritualism, they can state: (a) that Spiritualism is recognised as a religion in the Services; (b) that Spiritualist personnel may have their identity discs engraved accordingly; and (c) that there is no objection in principle to Spiritualist meetings being held in ships, barracks and camps, if suitable accommodation is available.]
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AIR: (LORD DE L'ISLE AND DUDLEY)My Lords, in all three Services those who profess Spiritualism may be recorded as Spiritualists on their Service certificates or other documents, and on their identity discs. In this sense, Spiritualism is treated like any other religion by all three Services. All members of the Forces are at liberty to worship in their own way, and according to their own faith, so long as the practice of that faith fits in with the requirements of Service life. The facilities to be allowed for the holding of religious services of the smaller denominations in naval, military and air force establishments must, however, depend on the circumstances of time and place, and will, therefore be at the discretion of the station commander or other appropriate authority.
§ LORD DOWDINGMy Lords, may I ask for a little further elucidation about the reply to the third part of my Question? Am I right in supposing that there is no objection, in principle, to Spiritualist meetings being held in ships, barracks, and camps, if suitable accommodation is available—in other words, is the matter at the discretion of the station commander, without the necessity of his referring it to higher authority?
§ LORD DE L'ISLE AND DUDLEYMy Lords, the principle is as I have stated, that in the case of denominations other than those mentioned in Queen's Regulations, the facilities and opportunities provided are at the discretion of the station commander. But I must not mislead the noble and gallant Lord into thinking that we give this as a universal right, because we must take into consideration the circumstances. But in normal circumstances the station commander will have discretion.
§ LORD DOWDINGI thank the noble Lord.