§ 1. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the increasing inconvenience 819 suffered by officers and men of the merchant service when on shore, owing to their having no badge indicating the nature of their employment; and whether he will grant war badges to all officers and men in the merchant service when they apply for them?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Captain Pretyman)The question of the grant of a war badge to officers and seamen of the mercantile marine has been very carefully considered, but the practical difficulties in the way of giving effect to the proposal are such that I regret that it cannot be adopted.
§ Mr. PETOI beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House this evening.