§ Mr. Sextonasked the Secretary of State for War (1) the total number of soldiers employed, and the average number of days worked by each, as beaters on grouse moors in the country at a rate of pay less than that ruling for civilian beaters in the same locality?
(2) Whether he will issue instructions that private sport must not be subsidised from public funds, as was done by soldiers being employed as beaters on the Stanhope East Moor, receiving only some liquid refreshment but no pay from the syndicate which employed them?
§ Captain MargessonIn the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers six men of an Army unit stationed in the neighbourhood volunteered on three occasions to act as beaters. I am unable to say whether similar cases have occurred in other parts of the country. There is, of course, no objection to an arrangement of this kind, provided that it is on a purely voluntary basis and does not interfere with a soldier's military duties. I appreciate, however, that in certain circumstances the practice may lend itself to abuse or at any rate to misinterpretation, and for this reason I think it should be avoided. Instructions are being issued accordingly.