HC Deb 11 July 1944 vol 401 cc1553-4
7. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the criticism which has followed the announcement that members of His Majesty's forces are to salute Italian officers; and what action he proposes to take.

Sir J. Grigg

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Mem- ber for Grantham (Mr. Kendall) on 27th June.

Miss Ward

Is the Minister aware how very lucky the Italians are to be on the side of the Allies, and that we give them special facilities, as Allies, rather than as just co-belligerents; and is he also aware how badly this goes down in the country?

Major Vyvyan Adams

My right hon. Friend, is, of course, aware that the Army will carry out any order that is physically possible. May I, however, as a Member of this House, ask the reason for this order? Have the Government, for example, already forgotten 10th June, 1940, or that these men, whom we are now expected to salute, were, less than twelve months ago, doing their feeble best to destroy us?

Sir J. Grigg

I think that the hon. and gallant Member has misinterpreted what, in fact, the orders are. There are certain mixed units and it is enjoined on British ranks that they should salute the Italian officers in camp only. There is a discrimination or differentiation between the treatment accorded to British officers and that accorded to Italian officers.

Mr. Reakes

Will the right hon. Gentleman withdraw the order and leave it to the discretion of members of His Majesty's Forces?

Mr. E. P. Smith

Would it not be more appropriate if Italian officers were ordered to salute the members of His Majesty's Forces?

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Is it not the case that if they were prisoners of war instead of co-belligerents they would have to be saluted according to rank?