§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the length of the qualifying period for the good-conduct medal as now granted in the Army, the medal, in most cases, not being actually issued to the recipient until he has nearly nineteen years' service; and will he consider the advisability of reducing the qualifying period to sixteen years; and will he issue instructions for the gratuity of £5 to be issued with the medal, and not kept until discharge to pension takes place, as is done at present.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This medal is granted for long service as well as good-conduct, and the existing qualifications have been advisedly adopted. It is not proposed to carry out the suggestions now made.