§ 12. Mr. PETOasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the badges which are to be issued for men discharged from the Army on medical grounds are now ready for issue; and whether he can state fully the steps which are to be taken with regard to the award of the medal for bravery and other medals and decorations for special war service.
§ 21. Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will cause it to be announced at all battalion headquarters, in the United Kingdom that upon discharge of a soldier as no longer physically fit for war service he will be entitled to an armlet indicating the fact of service and of the reason of discharge; and will he cause a specimen of the armlet used for the purpose to be exhibited in the Tea Room.
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir. Manufacture will necessarily take a little time, but I hope that the badges will be available shortly. Every effort is being made to expedite matters. The hon. Member will have seen in the newspapers a statement of the medals, etc., which a man may earn by war service. A sample of the new badge can be placed in the Tea Room.
§ Mr. PETOMay we take it that the badge will not take the form of a brassard or armlet, but that it will be a badge of some other form?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs my hon. Friend is aware, this matter does not rest entirely with us; therefore I do not want to give any pledge. My personal idea is that it will not take the form of an armlet. I may be wrong.
§ Mr. R. MacNEILLI do not quite understand whether the right hon. Gentleman has made it clear that men in such cases as that mentioned in my question do receive any badge which will protect them against the danger of being mistaken for so-called conscientious objectors, who are very properly regarded with loathing and contempt.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIf the hon. Gentleman raises controversial matters of that kind in a question, he cannot expect to get an answer.