§ 28. Sir Henry Morris-Jonesasked the Prime Minister whether a record is being kept of the names of those who served in the evacuation of Dunkirk, apart from those in the three Services, and particularly of the men on board the small ships of our Merchant Navy; and whether it is intended that a commemorative medal, or other token of recognition, is to be given to those who took part in this episode?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)I am informed that a record has been kept of all those who were regularly entered for this operation. It has not, however, been possible to keep a complete record of the many names of those who so gallantly gave their services independently of those entered. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith).
§ Sir H. Morris-JonesIn view of the special character of the work done by these men and of the fact that they were volunteers, in a sphere of work to which many of them were not accustomed, would my right hon. Friend consider issuing in the future some kind of recognition, either in the form of a medal or of something else?
§ Mr. E. SmithWhen considering this Question, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the men who have come home speak in the highest possible terms of the bargemen, fishermen and others who worked so strenuously, without any regard for their own lives, and who, as a result, were largely instrumental in saving many thousands of lives?
§ Mr. AttleeCertainly, that will be borne in mind.