HC Deb 24 March 1942 vol 378 c1803
45. Mr. Cocks

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider issuing a badge to all men who, for medical reasons, have been rejected for service with the Armed Forces?

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which the Prime Minister gave to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Holborn (Sir R. Tasker) on 27th May last.

Mr. Cocks

Can my right hon. Friend give us the substance of that reply, and is he aware that there are men who want to fight, including ex-soldiers, who are being insulted in the streets, and that such a badge would prevent that happening?

Mr. Attlee

The substance of the reply was that the matter had been carefully considered and that it was deemed undesirable to authorise the issue of a badge in the circumstances described.

Mr. Cocks

As there are now more people affected, cannot this matter be reconsidered?

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the attitude of the Government in this matter is causing a great deal of irritation in the country?