HC Deb 21 January 1942 vol 377 cc331-2
11. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that officers and other ranks, who have served on active service in the present war and have, subsequently, been discharged owing to medical unfitness or ill-health, but have not been granted a pension, are not eligible to receive a silver badge for services rendered issued through the Ministry of Pensions; and, in view of this inequality, whether he will take steps to deal with the matter?

Sir A. Sinclair

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to my hon. Friend the Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. Graham White) on 7th August last.

Mr. Bellenger

As this is a matter which very specially concerns the right hon. Gentleman's Department, does he not think it an unfair discrimination to say that men discharged from the Service and unable to prove their case for pension should be denied the silver badge? Will he reconsider this matter and make some representations to the Minister of Pensions?

Sir A. Sinclair

I do not think it is unfair. It does concern my Department, but it also concerns both the other Service Departments, and the Lord Privy Seal, in the answer to which I referred the hon. Member, gave the decision which had been arrived at by all the three Service Departments.

Major Milner

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what was the practice in the last war?

Sir A. Sinclair

Not without notice.