Mr. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the feeling prevailing among trade unionists generally, including those who are at present serving in His Majesty's Forces, at the continuance in force of the Army Council Regulations which forbids a soldier on leave of absence to attend a meeting of any trade union to which he might belong; and whether, therefore, he will advise the Army Council to amend the Regulation referred to so as to permit any soldier on leave of absence to attend his trade union branch meeting without any fear of punishment?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. As I informed my right hon. Friend the Member for Deptford on the 17th December last, the provisions of paragraph 451 of the King's Regulations are not intended to prevent soldiers attending meetings of their trades union, provided such meetings are not specially convened for the purpose of discussing political matters.