§ BARON DIMSDALE (Herts, Hitchin)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the fact that it is the custom to reward Volunteer Officers for long service by giving them a step of honorary rank, he will take under his consideration the expediency of granting to Volunteer non-commissioned officers and privates a medal or other decoration for similar length of service?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)On the 20th of April, 1883, the noble Marquess the Member for Rossendale (the Marquess of Hartington), then Secretary of State for War, stated, in reply to a similar Question, that as the Volunteers were already allowed to wear a star for every five years of efficient service, it was unnecessary and inexpedient to issue a medal or badge for long service; and that medals should be restricted to war service, long and meritorious Army service, and saving life. I see no reason for differing in any way from that opinion.