§ Mr. T. GRIFFITHSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that there are at present approximately 75 per cent. of civilian professional musicians unemployed, many of whom are unable to obtain unemployment benefit, he will arrange for the discontinuance of the practice of permitting the employment by outside persons and authorities of bands and musicians of the Army?
§ Mr. COOPERAs regards the acceptance of civil engagements by military bands, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 1st December to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Sir A. Beit). As regards individual bandsmen, existing instructions make it clear that any engagements which a soldier accepts in his spare time are purely of a private nature, that such engagements must not interfere with his military duties and that advertising in any shape or form is forbidden. It is not proposed to interfere with this practice.