Former MP for Rotherham
I want to support the point of view advanced by the hon. Member for East Walthamstow (Mr. Wallace). He reminded the House that it was necessary that we should have some clear definition of what we meant when we spoke of ex-service men. The hon. Member who has just spoken indulged in a geometrical definition which it was very difficult to follow, and he failed to answer the question of the...
If that is a point of Order you may have many raised before the discussion is over. If you are going to differentiate between these ex-service men who are unemployed and the civilians who are unemployed and who never had an opportunity during the Great War, it would perhaps be as well to draw attention to the order of preference laid down in Circular No. 1–30. The first preference is given...
On a point of Order. I neither believe that nor said it—
The hon. and gallant Gentleman gave way.
I am sure that no hon. Member in the House thinks that I intended to speak to the effect that ex-service men were hired assassins or anything else.
I said that many of these men were not free agents and were compelled to join the Services when there was no other employment, available.
I say that now.
I do not deny it; I say that it is true.
