asked the Secretary of State for War what fresh instructions have been issued with regard to the playing of the National Anthem?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, King's Regulations provide that the first six bars of the National Anthem should normally be played pianissimo. Approval has now been given for these bars to be played fortissimo when circumstances make this desirable.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend say how the change over from fortissimo to pianissimo originally came to be made, and is this not a very excellent and a commonsense amendment?

Does this mean that the Government are at last waking up?