§ MR. FORSTER, Kent, SevenoaksTo ask the Secretary of State for War, whether a medal issued to commemorate any war or warlike operations has ever been granted to the masters and officers of transports or hospital ships; and, if so, whether, in view of the great services rendered to the country by the masters, officers, and crews of the transports and; hospital ships during the war in South Africa, it is intended to grant to them the South African medal.
(Answer.) There are precedents for the award of medals to the masters of transports and hospital ships in a few exceptional cases. The question as to whether these precedents should be followed to any and, if so, to what extent, in the case of the masters, officers, and crews of transports and hospital ships employed during the war in South Africa, is at present under consideration, and I am not as yet in a position to make a Statement on the subject.—(Admiralty.)