§ 2.43 p.m.
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, I beg leave 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 they will consider amending the present regulation about servicemen resigning from the Service in order to contest a Parliamentary election to what it was up to 1945, whereby a Service candidate was granted special leave to stand for election and discharged only if elected.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the Government are fully aware that the existing rules, which were designed to ensure that genuine Service candidates were not prevented from standing for Parliament, are being abused. The Government are now examining what action is required to deal with this situation. 881 I can assure the noble Earl that his proposal will be taken fully into consideration.