40. Mr. PALMERasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that it is not obligatory upon officers of the Royal Air Force to equip themselves with swords, but that it is obligatory for such officers to wear a sword on ceremonial occasions, he will suggest some method by which officers of moderate means can avoid the expense of purchasing a sword and yet be able to comply with ceremonial regulations?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe wearing of swords on specified occasions is at once the privilege and the duty of every officer in the service of the Crown who wears His Majesty's uniform, including the members of the Privy Council and the Corps Diplomatique. The suggestion in the question is that an exception should be made in the case of the Royal Air Force. I can see no good reason why any such distinction should be made.
Mr. PALMERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his colleague suggested that the purchase of this sword was not obligatory. Therefore, I am asking how he can so manage that, while the officer will not possess a sword, he may be able to borrow one for ceremonial occasions?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe purchase of a full-dress uniform is not obligatory at present upon the Royal Air Force, largely on account of the difficulty of clothing prices and so forth. But it is intended that a uniform shall be adopted by the Royal Air Force, and if it be adopted the use of the sword with it will be indispensable.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know. The officers on board the ships of His Majesty have not much use for their swords, but they have not been deprived of them. [An HON. MEMBER: "To grapple with another ship?"] They have not been deprived of them under the modernising spirit. I do not see why the new Air Force should be placed on a different footing. As far as the action of the men and the officers in command is concerned, the Air Force have many duties on the ground, and it seems to be quite natural that they should be possessed of the sword as a weapon, as in the Navy, and more so in the Army.