HC Deb 12 June 1945 vol 411 cc1444-5
20. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds soldiers are made to pay 5s. for cap badges lost in action.

Sir J. Griģģ

Regulations provide for a cap badge lost in action to be replaced free. It it only if the loss is due to neglect or carelessness that the man is called upon to meet the cost, which in general does not exceed 4½d. for each badge.

Mr. Edwards

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter signed by ten Servicemen saying they were fined 5s., whereas the cost to the Ministry is approximately the figure given by the right hon. Gentleman? Is he aware that if these men do not pay that sum they are open to a charge which will deprive them of seven days' pay?

Sir J. Griģģ

I should be glad to look into that matter. Apart from some disciplinary offence—I cannot tell whether that was present—I would be very surprised to find that anybody had been called upon to pay 5s. for a badge.

Mr. Edwards

If I handed this letter to the right hon. Gentleman, could I be sure that these men would not be victimised?

Sir J. Griģģ

I think that insinuation is entirely unwarranted. I have had, I suppose, tens of thousands of specific and individual cases raised by hon. Members, and I do not think anybody could produce a single case where the men have been victimised.

Mr. Shinwell

On the question of insinuation, does the right hon. Gentleman realise that hon. Members, certainly myself, receive many letters from men stating grievances, or alleged grievances, and asking that their names be concealed because they are afraid of some unfavourable response from the officers concerned?

Sir J. Griģģ

There is also quite a possibility, which has not been absent from my experience, that the men wish their names to be concealed because the grievances are not true.

Mr. Edwards

May I take it from the right hon. Gentleman that his answer is in the affirmative, and that he guarantees the men will not be victimised?

Sir J. Griģģ

Certainly they will not be victimised, and certainly I will look into the case. I am willing to bet a considerable shade of odds that the case cannot be substantiated.

Mr. Shinwell

When the right hon. Gentleman says that statements made by serving men to hon. Members may be untrue, or are untrue, is that not a very grave insinuation?

Sir J. Griģģ

I said it was not unknown that they might be untrue, which is quite a different thing.