§ GENERAL GOLDSWORTHY (Hammersmith)On behalf of the hon. and gallant Member for the Epping division of Essex I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can issue an open competition for the design of the South African War medal if this medal is designed under authority of the Mint.
* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.)In order to avoid complaints which have on some former occasions been made of delay in the preparation of medals, the authorities of the Mint were some time ago requested to submit designs to the Secretary of State for a South African medal. One of these designs has since been approved by Her Majesty, and the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member for an open competition cannot therefore be adopted.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)At whose orders was the instruction given to the Mint, the result of which has been to preclude the possibility of competition?
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe ordinary course is for the medals to be prepared by the authorities of the Mint, and the Secretary of State asked the Mint authorities to prepare the designs.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)Whose designs were accepted?
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSI have-written to the Mint to ascertain that. I do not know the artist's name at the moment.