§ 11. Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now decided to issue torpedo badges in a distinct form suitable for officers of the merchant service; and whether officers and men of the Merchant Service will be authorised to wear the same chevrons as are issued to the Navy?
§ Mr. WARDLEArrangements are being made for the issue of a torpedo badge of a distinctive colour in the case of officers. The question of chevrons is being considered by the Departments concerned, and I hope to be able to inform the hon. Member of the result shortly.
§ Mr. WARDLEI think the torpedo badge is for those who have been torpedoed.
§ Mr. HOLTAre badges to be given to officers whose ships have been torpedoed and not to officers who have succeeded in escaping being torpedoed?
§ Mr. PETOIs it not perfectly clear that unless chevrons are issued to those en- 404 gaged for a number of years in the Mercantile Marine the result will be exactly as it was put by the hon. Member for Hexham (Mr. Holt). The badge will be given for unsuccessful defence against enemy attack and not for successful defence?
§ Mr. WARDLEI certainly do not think that is likely to arise.