§ 33. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether men are retained in the Services after it is discovered that they are homosexuals.
§ Mr. BirchMen convicted of serious offences involving homosexuality are almost invariably dismissed as part of the sentence of the court, but the term "homosexuality" covers various degrees of perversion and it would not be right to treat all cases in the same way.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I should still like an answer to this question: what is the policy of the Service Departments towards retaining in the Services men who are known to be homosexuals but who have not been convicted of any charge under that heading?
§ Mr. BirchIt is always open to the Services, if they think it right, to discharge a man administratively. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is interested in the subject, I recommend him to read Annex No. 36 to the Report of the Select Committee on the Army Act and the Air Force Act, where he will see the policy of the Services very fully set out.
§ Mr. HobsonWill the hon. Gentleman make available to the Army and the Air Force the same code as is set out in the Admiralty Fleet Order dealing with this matter, which is a most sensible document?
§ Mr. BirchAs I understand it, the practice of the three Services in this matter is practically identical.