§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out in the Official Report the legislative authority regulations, for the use of military personnel in industrial disputes, indicating any authority which allows military commanders to order action without the consent of the civil power.
§ Mr. StanleyStatutory provision for the use of military personnel in aid of the civil authorities is contained in the Emergency Powers Act 1920; the Emergency Powers (Northern Ireland) Act 1926; and The Defence (Armed Forces) Regulations 1939 in the form set out in part C of schedule 2 to the Emergency Laws (Repeal) Act 1959 as made permanent by the Emergency Powers Act 1964.
In nearly all circumstances in industrial disputes, military commanders would not act on their own authority. They would only so act to prevent serious crime and violent disorder, and then only in quite exceptional circumstances.