§ 43 and 44. Mr. H. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for War (1) why foreign 1131 women married in ex-enemy territories to British soldiers are classified as B category wives, and are denied certain perquisites such as access to N.A.A.F.I. stores, etc.;
(2) why British wives of serving soldiers who reach their husbands in certain ex-enemy territories on their own and not his Department's initiative are treated on arrival as B category wives by the military authorities.
§ Mr. J. FreemanThe classification referred to is made for purely clerical and administrative purposes, such as the provision of passports. I am not aware that it is applied to British-born wives or that it involves any disadvantage such as denial of permission to use N.A.A.F.I.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWill the Minister consider changing the term "B category wives," which may give some impression abroad that the War Office is condoning the practice of polygamy?
§ Mr. FreemanThere is no hostile intention in that designation, any more than there is in the fact that the journal for which the hon. Member writes is rated as "second class reading matter."
§ Mr. H. FraserWill, the hon. Gentleman look into the question of B category wives being deprived, to some extent, of certain privileges allowed to British wives? I think the hon. Gentleman is aware that in the past these wives have been denied access to the N.A.A.F.I. on the ground that they would give what they received to their own families.
§ Mr. FreemanMy information at the moment is that that is not so, but if the hon. Gentleman will produce evidence to the contrary, I will look into it.