Compulsory Church Parades

41.

Mr. Daines
asked the Secretary of State for War under which provision of King's Regulations has a commanding  officer the power to compel men detailed for church parade to attend divine service.

Mr. Lawson
Paragraph 1605.

Mr. Thurtle
Will my right hon. Friend consider revising this order, and is he aware that the great party which he represents has always been against this enforced religious observance?

Mr. Lawson
That would be a matter for consideration later on, but as the law is I cannot interfere.

Mr. Gallacher
Are we to take it from this Question and answer that, contrary to the situation in the earthly sphere, the supply of celestial transport is greater than the demand?

Captain Blackburn
Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in reconsidering this matter, that the mingling of patriotism, discipline and church is resented by many people with extremely sincere religious convictions?