§ 6. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been approached by representatives of the officers of merchant ships, who ask that these officers shall be permitted to wear on their uniforms war-service chevrons, similar to those which have now been introduced in connection with the naval and military forces; and whether, in view of the fact that merchant officers have been doing precisely similar war service, he is now in a position to announce that these chevrons will be introduced in due course?
Sir A. STANLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The torpedo badge for the merchant service has only just been instituted, and I should prefer to see how this operates before considering whether the military and naval chevrons should be extended to the Merchant Service.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman in considering this matter take into account the case of officers and crews of ships who have avoided being torpedoed or sinking through gunfire or other action on several occasions, and who therefore are not entitled to wear any badge whatever?
Sir A. STANLEYThis is a very complicated question, as the hon. Member 1855 knows, and I should be very glad if he would put a question down before I give an answer.