HC Deb 12 June 1918 vol 106 cc2197-8
36. General McCALMONT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether awards of the Order of the British Empire to officers on the active list for services with Expeditionary Forces are made on the recommendation of their commanding officers as in the case of purely military decorations; and whether these decorations constitute an additional reward for service behind the fighting zone to which the fighting troops are not entitled?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Awards of the Order of the British Empire for service with the Expeditionary Forces are made on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief concerned, and the channel of recommendation, so far as the Army Council are aware, is identical with the procedure in force for military decorations. It will no doubt, however, frequently occur that an award of the British Empire Order is substituted for a military decoration in cases in which the Commander-in-Chief is of opinion that the services rendered do not justify the award of an Order or decoration normally reserved, as far as possible, for services in the fighting zone. The Order of the British Empire does not in effect constitute an additional reward for services behind the fighting zone, seeing that services of this nature are not regarded as. eligible for military decoration usually reserved for fighting Services. It is not proposed to award the Order of the British Empire for services in action.

General McCALMONT

Is the House to understand that the Distinguished Service Order is not awarded for service behind the fighting zone, as the right hon. Gentleman has stated? Is it not the fact that this is an additional decoration, and, as this is not available for the fighting forces, therefore the fighting forces are severely handicapped in the fact that there are two decorations instead of one for non-fighting men?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I have distinctly stated this is not to be given for services in action.

General McCALMONT

Therefore that is an advantage to people behind the fighting lines.

Mr. PRINGLE

Is it not necessary to have two decorations, because there are so many more men behind the lines?