§ Mr. WARINGasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that An individual wearing the uniform and badges of a lieutenant-general was saluted by a sentry while passing St. James's Palace in the afternoon of 14th May, and that he took no notice of the compliment; and whether, in order to avoid recurrence of such discourtesy and to minimise the amount of saluting by sentries in London, he will revert to the practice of permitting officers to wear plain clothes when off parade?
Captain GUESTI have no information as to the incident referred to by my hon. Friend, but if it occurred, the explanation no doubt is that the general officer did not observe the sentry. As regards the last part of the question, the rules as to the wearing of uniform by officers when not on duty are given in Army Order 163 of 1917. No alteration in these Rules is contemplated at present.