§ 63. Mr. WHELERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the medal for general services in operations carried out by His Majesty's Navy in the Persian Gulf in the years 1909–12 has been granted; and, if not, when the question of granting the medal will be settled?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)The question is still under consideration.
§ Mr. WHELERMay I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that I asked this question sonic months ago and he definitely promised action; and does he realise that the postponement of this matter is causing a good deal of feeling among the men who were engaged?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe operations come rather near the border line, and we have been in communication with the India Office upon the subject.
§ Mr. WHELERHave not several men suffered severely; were they not severely wounded in these operations; and are not these men deserving of a medal as much as or more than many men who have received one?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA great deal of thought has been given to this subject. As I said, the matter comes very near the border line, and I cannot say what the final decision will be.
§ Mr. EYRES-MONSELLIs it not a fact that the military got the medal for the same operations some years ago?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI cannot go into that without notice.