asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the continued serious depression in the entertainment industry, as a result of which a large number of the members of the Musicians' Union are totally unemployed; that the practice of permitting the regimental bands of His Majesty's forces to accept private employment, which takes them away from their normal duties, is in effect unfair competition; and whether he will issue instructions that service bands must not accept private engagements to the detriment of civilians?

In answer to my hon. Friend, I have no knowledge of the conditions alleged in the question that large numbers of members of the Musician's Union are unemployed, nor have any figures ever been submitted to the War Office. The Regulations forbid military bands being taken away from their normal duties, and are framed with a view to preventing unfair competition.