Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 23 February 1954.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton
12:00,
23 February 1954
asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent church parades continue as part of the army routine at home stations; and approximately the percentage of men who voluntarily attend church worship.
Mr Anthony Head
, Carshalton
Church attendance is voluntary but parades in connection with a religious service are held on ceremonial occasions of national or local importance under the authority of a general officer commanding-in-chief. Figures of attendance are not kept.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton
Is the normal procedure that no compulsion is used to ensure that men attend church parades?
Mr Anthony Head
, Carshalton
Except for the occasions I have mentioned, there is no compulsion to attend church.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
