§ 37. Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the use of the word English in describing the British Army in the reply of the Secretary of State for War to General Joffre; and whether, in view of the part played in our Army by other than English troops, he 771 will undertake that in future no such partial description of our forces shall be permitted?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, my attention had not previously been drawn to this matter; the published telegram was a translation.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that General Joffre used the words "British" Army in his communication to the Secretary of State, and that the Secretary of State in his reply used the words "English" Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTI was not aware of that, but I will bring the suggestion of the hon. Gentleman to the notice of the Secretary of State for War.
§ Mr. HOGGEArising further out of the answer, will my right hon. Friend make perfectly certain that the word "British" is used in future; will he remember that the British Force is made up of Englishmen, Scotsmen, Irishmen, Welshmen, and Colonials, and those of us who are not Englishmen object to the use of the word "English" in describing that Army?
§ Mr. PIRIEI do not want to attach too much importance to this, but may I dare to suggest that the right hon. Gentleman should take into consideration the appropriateness, especially in view of the fact that British troops and those of the Overseas Dominions may shortly be fighting shoulder to shoulder, of the more general use of the word "Britannic"?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will consider the suggestions, and bring them before the Secretary of State.