§ 14. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will bring to an end the official use of the phrase, "other ranks," in view of the fact that it expresses its meaning only indirectly.
§ Mr. MacPhersonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Dominions has already dropped this phrase? Will he recollect that at this hour last week he objected to a particular title because it was neither descriptive nor inspiring and can he imagine any phrase which is less descriptive and less inspiring? Will he not at least follow the example already set him overseas?
§ Mr. HeadIf the hon. Gentleman has any specific suggestion I should be glad to consider it, but this phrase does cover a very large number, from warrant officers, N.C.Os. privates and women to boys, and we want some all-embracing term to describe them.
§ Mr. MacPhersonIs not that the objection to this phrase, that 80 or 90 per cent. of the personnel of the Army are described by a phrase which simply says that they are not the other 10 or 20 per cent.; and is not there something rather derogatory about that?