§ 18. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he will enumerate the military decorations other than the Victoria Cross and bars for acts of gallantry which are usually reserved for fighting services; whether frequent awards of the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross, in addition to the Orders of the Bath and St. Michael and St. George, are made to officers whose duties never take them into the fighting zone; whether the Order of the British Empire has now been added as a decoration for which only the non-fighting services are eligible; and whether it is intended to continue the policy of making it easier for decorations to be obtained by non-fighting services than by gallantry in action?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Distinguished Service Order, the Military Cross, and the Distinguished Conduct Medal are reserved, as far as possible, for fighting services; and the Military Medal is awarded only for specific acts of bravery in the field. It is not the case that frequent awards of the D.S.O. and M.C., in addition to the Orders of the Bath and St. Michael and St. George, are made to officers whose duties never take them into the fighting zone. As regards the third part of the question, the Statutes of the Order of the British Empire enact that all persons "as may have rendered, or shall hereafter render, important services to the Empire" shall be eligible for reward, but, as I stated on Wednesday last, it is 158 not intended to award this Order to officers and men in the Army for services in action, which can be rewarded by the award of military decorations. My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension as regards the, last part of his question. In addition to the honours announced in the "Gazette" of the 3rd June, more than 25,000 decorations and medals had been conferred on regimental officers, N.C.O.s, and men as immediate rewards for specific acts of gallantry since the "Honours Gazette" published in January last; and, further, the majority of the awards of the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, and Distinguished Conduct Medal included in the "Gazette" of 3rd June were for services in action.
§ Colonel McCALMONTAre we to understand that there has been some change of policy and that the Army Council are now prepared to recommend officers for the Order of the British Empire rather than give those who do not fight decorations which are primarily intended for those who do fight?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; I do not think there is any change of policy.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration drawing a distinction between services for the Military Cross granted for gallantry and other services? Is he aware that the Military Cross has been granted to officers for carrying dispatches across the English Channel only; and is he also aware that officers who get the Cross for gallantry have no means of drawing a distinction?
§ Colonel McCALMONTIs it not a fact that the practice of giving the Military Cross for actions other than those in action has now been discontinued? Has there not been a change?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe that is so.
§ Sir C. WARNERWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a Committee of this House to inquire into the system of the distribution of medals and awards?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.