HC Deb 19 December 1944 vol 406 cc1595-6
18. Mr. Cove

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any British troops who are sent to Greece will be limited to volunteers for that service.

Sir J. Grigg

No, Sir.

Mr. Cove

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why men who are conscripted to fight Hitler are now being compelled to fight the Greek people?

Sir J. Grigg

The men were conscripted to carry out the orders given to them.

Mr. Bowles

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the great mass of the British Army are a civilian Army, with very serious political ideas about what they are fighting the war about?

Dr. Edith Summerskill

What action is taken against men who refuse to fight on conscientious grounds?

Sir J. Grigg

I prefer not to answer what I believe to be an entirely hypothetical question.

Mr. Cocks

Would it not be a great advantage to have on our side a "sacred battalion" of Tory Fascists?