RUMPUS IN WHITEHALL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 105, 30 October 1942, Page 5

RUMPUS IN WHITEHALL

WAR OFFICE BAN OVERRULED

(Rec. 12,30 p.m.) LONDON, October 29

One- of the most interesting behind-the-scenes battles Whitehall has known for a long time raged about the participation of members of the Services in a parade to be held on November 7 commemora,ting the anniversary of the establishment of the Soviet Government, says the "Daily Express."

The committee arranged a big meeting in a hall in London after which the Soviet Ambassador, Mr. Maisky, was to take the salute at a march-past. The Coldstream Guards Band was to lead the procession, in which representative units of the' British Services would march. Then the organisers received a curt letter from an official of the Wai- Office withdrawing permission for Army personnel to participate. Influential people protested to Mr. Eden, Sir Stafford Cripps. and Sir James Grigg. The War Office explained: "The needs of the Army must come first." but it did not explain why permission was given and then withdrawn. Another War Office official wrote in more diplomatic terms, but maintaining the ban. More pressure was put on the Government to override the ban. A big row in Parliament loomed up. The Government thereupon reversed the War Office ban, .and the band and the Army units will march. The committee includes the Archbishop of Canterbury, interdenominational Church leaders, leaders of the Trades Union Council, Mr. Lloyd George, and two Conservative M.P.s. Four thousand organisations are to participate.