Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Question Tom Harris Wanted to Ask...

Former Transport Minister Tom Harris didn't waste much time in getting back into the swing of PMQs, following his abrupt departure from the government. He explains on his blog how nervous he was. Hansard reports him saying...
Mr. Tom Harris (Glasgow, South) (Lab): Would my Rt Hon Friend kindly explain why that bastard sacked me? Fifty-five thousand members of RAF Bomber Command lost their lives in world war two, yet today there is still no national memorial paying tribute to the sacrifice made by those brave men and women in defence of our nation. Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in supporting the RAF Bomber Command memorial fund as it seeks to raise £2.5 million for such a memorial, and will she ensure that the Ministry of Defence consults the memorial fund properly before finally deciding on a location?

Good man.

7 comments:

John Pickworth said...

Oh, didn't realise that was Tom Harris!

Actually, for me, it was the highlight of PMQ's... a reminder of the past when things truly were matters of life and death.

Anonymous said...

Good for him that he got the chance to ask about something so important.

Sometimes we just get told that asking a question is a mistake. And that apparently is the end of it. No danger of any answer.

Anonymous said...

Its a good point and what is really quite disgraceful and a shameful indictment of the establishment (all parties over many many years) is that Bomber Command aircrew were also denied a campaign medal.

We currently have the ... what shall I say ... the anomalous situation that the women who delivered the planes were recently awarded a special medal whereas the aircrew who flew fought and died in them continue to be denied one.

Everyone from Bevan Boys to Land Army Girls have been feted recently - everyone except the service which suffered more casualties than any other except the German U-boat fleet.

Anonymous said...

A mute point I realise but I was led to believe it was the merchant navy that suffered the highest casualty rate?

Anyone cast some light?

Anonymous said...

Well done, Ton Harris and thank you for that. Nice to know that at least someone in nulabour cares about our war dead.

Anonymous said...

But you didn't tell us what was the answer from "my honourable and learned friend"?

(My word, you have to use your imagination when using correct political language in Parliament............)

Springheel said...

anonymous 1:14.

I understand that about 35,000 merchant seamen died. The total killed, wounded or captured was higher in percentage terms than for any of the armed services, but I'm afraid I don't have numbers.