§ 91. Mr. PETOasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any alteration has been made with regard to the granting of military honours to the next of kin of officers to whom they have been awarded who do not survive; whether any pension attaches to the grant of either the Victoria Cross or Military Cross in the case of officers, non-commissioned officers, or men; and if he can state the reason for any alteration that may have been made?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, no alteration has been made in the rule with regard to the posthumous grant of military honours. Such grant is, and has been, limited to that of the Victoria Cross. In the case of officers, no pension attaches to the award 35 of either the Victoria Cross or the Military Cross. In the case of soldiers awarded the Victoria Cross there is an annuity of £10. Soldiers who earn pensions and are holders of the Military Cross are entitled to an extra 6d. per day. The last part of the question does not arise, as no alterations have been made.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability, in the interests of justice, of making posthumous grants of the honour of the Military Cross to the nearest kin of the officer or man who earned it?
§ Mr. TENNANTI think the Victoria Cross is in a distinct position from any other decoration. I cannot help thinking it would be very doubtful policy to extend the provisions which have been considered hitherto only applicable to the Victoria Cross to other decorations.