§ MR. EASTWICKasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, with reference to the feeling of the House as shown by the Division of Friday, he will recommend that the Officers who specially distinguished themselves in serving with the ambulances during the late war between France and Germany may be allowed to accept and wear the decorations tendered to them by Foreign Governments?
MR. GLADSTONESir, the indication of a desire on the part of any considerable number of hon. Members of this House will be accepted by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as a very good reason for a re-examination of the rules now in force on this subject, in order to see whether it will be possible to relax them without entailing great inconvenience. At the same time, I must state my opinion that the question is one of much greater difficulty than is apparent on the surface. It is not a question whether it would be desirable to allow decorations to be worn for these transactions, if in all cases they were bonâ fide and satisfactory in themselves; but it is rather a question as to the inducement which may be given to persons to perform services which are likely to lead to distinction. Altogether it is a very nice matter, and I cannot undertake to promise anything until my noble Friend has carefully inquired into the matter, in order to see whether he can modify the rules for the public advantage.