§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider granting the right, to those members of Her Majesty's Police Force who are entitled to their wings and half wings, to wear these whilst in uniform.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, these wings and half wings are insignia and not decorations. They are badges of qualification and part of the uniform of the Armed Services. It would not be appropriate for them to be worn on police uniform.
§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, while thanking the noble Earl for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware of the fact that members of the Boy Scout Movement wear their wings—they are entitled to do so—and that members of the Civil Defence Force wear theirs? If it is wrong for both those great forces to wear their wings, then, surely, such an instruction should be given. In the meantime, I ask my noble friend whether he will consider the whole of this question again, and, indeed, that the Government should consider it, as it would surely be a tribute to the greatest force of policemen in the world if we were to grant them this slight consideration.
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, as I understand it, it is my right honourable friend who answers for the Air Ministry and his Department who take the view that these wings, these insignia, are in fact Armed Forces badges, and that these other bodies which the noble and gallant Viscount has mentioned ought not to be wearing them.
§ VISCOUNT LONGHas an instruction been issued to that effect?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I will bring what the noble and gallant Viscount has said to the attention of my noble and gallant friend.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, is it not a fact that it is not sufficient to describe the brevet as a badge? It is something that an individual applies for, works for and gets. It is not just a badge of his trade. That is my first point. My second point is, would it not recognise the great service which the police performed when they were permitted to join the Royal Air Force in the last war, and would it not be much appreciated by the public?
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, I wonder whether I might support that, and ask whether it is not the fact that policemen, and indeed commissionaires, when they are on duty, wear their medals, or certainly their medal ribbons. But they are just as much an insignia of service of the Crown as the wings and half wings which are so prized. Would he not be right in conveying to his right honourable friend that the general sense of the House, including those who have been connected with the Air Force, would be most strongly in favour of allowing the police this—I would not say privilege, but almost right?
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, following what my noble friend has said, may I ask the Minister this question? If a policeman is allowed to wear the sloped ribbon of the Distinguished Flying Cross, is it not illogical that he should be forbidden to wear the insignia which has allowed him to earn that particular decoration? As it would apply to a comparatively small number of people, is this not one of those cases where the Home Office should look at the matter again, with a view to acceptance, if the Air Ministry, who are reasonable in their dealings and actions, give their agreement?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, in fairness to the Army, may I ask the noble Earl, when he approaches his right honourable friend, to ascertain whether it is permissible for the Parachute Regiment also to wear their wings?
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether, in considering the case for the police, he would also consider that of the Fire Service?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, these are exactly the questions I should have expected noble Lords to bring up. I think I should tell my noble friend that the noble and gallant Viscount apparently considers himself eligible to wear two different sets of wings. I am most conscious of the feeling of your Lordships this afternoon, and I am most conscious of the interest the noble and gallant Viscount takes in all these affairs. I give your Lordships the assurance that I will certainly point out to my right honourable friend in another place all your Lordships have said to-day. But I must make clear the distinction between what are considered decorations and what I have already termed insignia. I will, however, as I have said, bring to the notice of my right honourable friend all that has been said this afternoon.
§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for the answers he has given? I am sure that what he has said, even though he is doubtful in his outlook, will be gratefully received.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, in view of the strong feeling in all parts of the House, perhaps the noble and gallant Viscount might put down another Question at not too distant a date.
§ VISCOUNT LONGI will certainly consider that, after consultations through the usual channels.