§ SIR GEORGE DOUGLASasked the Secretary of State for War, If he would explain why so great a time was generally allowed to elapse between the recommendation of a soldier by his Commanding Officer, for a good conduct medal and the issue of the medal to him, it in many cases not being received until after the soldier has left his regiment, whereby he is deprived of the honour and gratification of having the decoration presented to him on parade and in the presence of his comrades?
§ COLONEL STANLEY, in reply, said, that this subject had been brought under his notice; but he was not able to give a very precise answer to the Question at the present moment. He, however, entirely agreed in the principle that a good conduct medal should, if possible, be given on parade and before a man left his regiment. The medals would be given in future on parade. They were now connected with gratuities which had to be obtained out of the public funds; and it would be necessary, when a medal was so bestowed, that it should be given without any prejudice to the gratuity which might be issued.