§ Mr. Dainesasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the continuance of compulsory Church parades is making 2047W individual work of chaplains more difficult owing to the resentment of officers and men at the element of compulsion; and if he is aware that men volunteer for fatigues on Sundays to avoid these parades.
§ Major Symondsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider making attendance at church parades voluntary in view of the fact that, as men are detailed to attend, the parades are, in effect though unofficially, used as a kind of punishment.
§ Mr. LawsonOn the general question of compulsory church attendance I would refer hon. Members to the reply I gave on 16th October to a previous Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Daines). I am not aware that men velunteer for fatigues to avoid church attendance or that it is used as a form of punishment. I should like to be informed of any specific cases of the latter,