§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr, Official Report, 14 February, col. 1761, regarding the use of the military during industrial disputes, he will make a statement about paragraph 3 of section V, part II, of the Manual of Military Law so far as it indicates that military commanders are bound to take action if the circumstances demand even 771W though the civil authority has given directions to the contrary.
§ Mr. PymParagraph 3 of section V, part II, of the Manual of Military Law is concerned exclusively with the duties of commanders and soldiers in cases of disturbances of the peace. The legislative authority for the use of military personnel during industrial disputes was set out in the answer I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 14 February.—[Vol. 978,c. 761.]