§ 39. Mr. Lowasked the Secretary of State for War why he has decided to restrict the number of Territorial Army regimental bands to a few regiments only; and what are the present rules governing the authorisation of regimental bands.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that the number of regimental bands in the Territorial Army is restricted to a few regiments only. Approval has been given for the formation of a military or brass band at the discretion of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations and the commanding officers of the units, for each Royal Armoured Corps Regiment and each Infantry and Parachute Battalion and the Special Air Service Battalion. The formation of ten Royal Artillery bands to be located at the centres of the largest concentrations of Royal Artillery units has also been approved but their location is not yet finally settled.