§ 2. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to permit a National Serviceman, on registering for military service, to claim exemption on conscientious grounds where the person signing on has grounds to believe that on entering the forces he may be liable to corruption from the practice of homosexuality in the Armed Forces.
§ Brigadier MedlicottOn a point of order. May I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, as to whether a Question framed in these terms is within the spirit of the traditions of the House? There is no evidence whatever that the practice of homosexuality is more prevalent in the Armed Forces than outside them. I suggest that this Question is an abuse of the Order Paper in that it is not aimed at protecting the rights of the individual but casts an entirely unwarranted reflection upon the Armed Forces of the Crown.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member who puts down the Question is responsible for it.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe answer is "No, Sir," and I must entirely reject the unworthy implication contained in the Question.
§ Mr. LewisIf a person signing on for National Service knows that he is being directed to a unit where there has been, or is, someone who has been found guilty of doing this for seven years, surely he should have some grounds for contracting out.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat seems to be hypothetical.