HC Deb 02 July 1940 vol 362 cc672-3
50. Mr. Cary

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that all French military, naval and air force personnel who elect to continue the tight against Germany and Italy will be given honorary status with the British Forces of a rank similar to that held in the French Forces?

Mr. Attlee

His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of encouraging and assisting to the utmost of their power all French forces who are able and willing to continue the struggle, and His Majesty's Government are devoting their urgent attention to this matter. I am not at the present moment prepared to say precisely in what way it will be decided to effect the co-operation at which we aim.

Mr. Cary

Does the offer of Anglo-French Union remain an open invitation to all Frenchmen who elect to fight on?

Viscountess Astor

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that we have lost some splendid opportunities as far as the French Navy is concerned? I hope the Government will look into that matter. We have missed a whole fortnight when we might have done something.

Mr. Mander

In this connection, will sympathetic consideration be given to the question of pay and allowance for the persons concerned? Many of them have nothing.

Sir T. Moore

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last week or so—

Mr. Speaker

rose

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