Captain CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will reconsider the decision of his Department only to grant the Coronation medal to chief officers of each police force of ten years' service and over; whether he is aware that on the chief officers the heaviest amount of work and responsibility fell in connection with all the arrangements; and, in view of their small number, will he grant the distinction to all chief officers irrespective of length of service who were actually on the strength on the date in question?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I am well aware of the great amount of work and responsibility which fell upon the chief officers of each police force at the time of the Coronation. It is a fact, however, that the police have been more generously recognized as regards medals than any other branch of the public service, and I regret I cannot recommend any extension of the distribution of these medals beyond what has been already approved.
Captain CRAIGIs it not a fact that some of these chief officers had nine years' service, or were very nearly qualified for this medal, and, under the circumstances, would the right hon. Gentleman not grant the distinction to all of them?
§ Mr. McKENNAI regret to say that for the reasons I have given I cannot go behind the rules that have already been accepted.