§ 7. Sir Reginald Clarryasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that some resentment is felt in certain cases by British merchant seamen, fishermen, and others, who are assisting naval operations, in consequence of their ineligibility to use naval Service canteens; and whether he will consider removing this embargo and making provision for all seamen who are co-operating with His Majesty's Navy, but not in the Service, to have some easy and outward mark of identification, such as an armlet or headdress, during shore leave?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (Sir Victor Warrender)Naval Service canteens may be used by all men serving in commissioned ships of the Royal Navy, but not normally by other seafaring men. While it would not be desirable to displace the facilities already provided by private enterprise, consideration is being given to opening the canteens to Merchant Navy personnel in those remote places where no convenient private facilities are available. Men serving in commissioned ships, who are not provided with uniforms, wear armlets, and men of the Merchant Navy have been issued with the Merchant Navy badge.