§ 77. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether there is any reason why a gratuity or an addition of 6d. a day to pension should be given to recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Military Cross while the same is denied to recipients of the Military Medal; and whether he will in consequence consider the desirability of giving a bonus to those military medalists who have won a bar to their medal for a second act of bravery in this War?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Military Medal was instituted with a view to providing a form of decoration in recognition of bravery in the field which did not reach the standard of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and so did not call for the addition of the gratuity and extra pension which the latter carries.
§ 78. Sir H. GREENWOODasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the fact that 6d. a day is added to the pension of a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal who is discharged to pension, he will consider the grant of a like sum for life to distinguished conduct medalists who are not discharged to pension in lieu of the gratuity of £20 which is awarded them instead?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis matter has been carefully examined, and it is considered undesirable to multiply small pensions of 6d. a day where there is no other pension to which they would form an addition.