§ SIR SEYMOUR KING (Hull, Central)To ask the Secretary of State for Ind a whether, having regard to the services rendered in Mekran and on the Perso-Baluch frontier by the mixed force of troops under Major Tighe, who acted as escort to Major Showers, the political agent, from January to April, 1902, and did some fighting, particularly at the capture of Nodiz Fort, regard will: be had in the rewards to be distributed to the claim of the native troops in the expedition to have the frontier medal awarded them, as has been done for the men engaged in the Mahsud blockade; and whether the Indian Government will at the same time reconsider their decision as to the grant of the medal to the troops engaged in Mekran in 1898.
(Answered by Secretary Lord George Hamilton.) The question of the grant of a medal for the operations in Mekran in 1898 has been very carefully considered 1007 on two separate occasions, and decided in the negative. I do not see any grounds for re-opening the question. No recommendation has yet been forwarded for my consideration by the Government of India regarding the grant of a medal for the operations in Mekran and on the, Perso-Baluch frontier from January to April, 1902.