§ 34. Mr. SHAWasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been arrived at with reference to conferring upon the British troops who fought in Gallipoli the decoration already given to Dominion troops for that campaign?
§ 50. Colonel L. WILSONasked the Prime Minister whether any replies have been received from the Colonial Governments with reference to the proposals of the Government as to the issue of a decoration for the operations in Gallipoli; and whether he is in a position to announce the decision of the Government on this question?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI regret I cannot at present add anything to the answers 2101 given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to questions on the subject on the 17th and 21st October. Replies have not yet been received from all the Governments of the self-governing Dominions to whom the matter was referred.
§ Mr. SHAWIs my right hon. Friend aware of the very strong feeling that exists in this matter in Scotland, and that many gallant Scotsmen played a distinguished part in this part of the War, and will he try to do something to expedite the matter?
§ General McCALMONTCan the right hon. Gentleman promise an answer next week in view of the fact that the Leader of the House promised an answer within a few days?
§ Colonel Sir C. SEELYIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware of the very strong feeling in many parts of England as well as in Scotland, in the districts from where these men come who fought, and will he arrange for this to come under the notice of the Army Council?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI can assure the House that I am very well aware of the feeling, and I will bring the matter to the notice of the Army Council.
§ 51. Colonel WILSONasked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken, or will be taken, for members of the Graves Commission to visit Gallipoli as soon as possible, so that the graves of British and Colonial officers and men who lost their lives during the operations in that Peninsula may be properly cared for?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs soon as the signing of an Armistice with the Turkish military authorities was announced, instructions were cabled to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Salonika, to form a special Graves Registration Unit for dispatch to the Gallipoli Peninsula at the earliest possible moment. A reply has been received that this Unit will form part of the first military contingent landing there, and will at once proceed to register, mark, and put in order all graves which are identifiable, with the assistance of the records of burial which have been collected and preserved by the Graves Registration Unit, Egypt. Instructions were at the same time sent to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Egypt, to detail officers of the 2102 Australian and New Zealand Forces to be included in the Staff of the Graves Registration Unit going to Gallipoli.