§ 62. Colonel YATEasked when the dispatches relative to the siege of Kut-el-Amara will be published; and how many military awards have been conferred for services during the siege?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOperations during the siege of Kut were described in the dispatches of Generals Sir John Nixon and Sir Percy Lake, gazetted the 10th May and 12th October, 1916, and it is not intended to publish further dispatches covering this period.
As regards the second part of the question, there are no records to show the total number of awards conferred for services rendered actually during the siege of Kut, but the gazettes of awards for services in connection with operations immediately preceding and inclusive of the siege total 148. This total is exclusive of "immediate" awards, no figures as to these being available.
I may observe that all recommendations at the stage of operations to which my hon. and gallant Friend's question refers were rendered to the Government of India. The Army Council have always given, and are still prepared to give, the most sympathetic consideration to any names brought forward by the Government of India.
§ Colonel YATEAre we to understand that not a single award has been conferred for any services rendered during: the siege of Kut?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not know how the hon. and gallant Gentleman has reached that conclusion, because I reached an entirely opposite one from studying the answer. The total number of awards was 148.
§ Colonel YATEThat includes all Mesopotamia. Can the right hon. Gentleman give me any one that was given for services rendered during the siege of Kut?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOn that point I will make inquiries. I am informed that the awards for services in connection with the operations preceding and including the siege number 148.