HC Deb 10 April 1919 vol 114 cc2232-3
Major-General Sir IVOR PHILIPPS

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether a general war medal has been decided upon and the design of a ribbon for the same been approved; whether the design of the ribbon has been registered under the Patents and Designs Act, and an Order issued by the Army Council that no person will be allowed to deal in such ribbon without the written permission of the Army Council; and whether he is aware that such an Order, if issued, is directly contrary to the decision come to by this House on Wednesday, the 2nd April last, when the Army (Annual) Bill was in Committee of the Whole House; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the Army Council do not by administrative action over-ride the decision and order of this House?

The SECRETARY Of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)

A general war medal has been decided upon, and the design of a riband has been approved. The design of the riband has been registered under the Patents and Designs Act, the object of such registration being to ensure that all the riband manufactured shall be conserved for Government requirements It is the intention that a free preliminary issue shall be made to all men entitled to the medal, whether serving or discharged. The quantity of riband required exceeds 2,000,000 yards, and if the private manufacture and sale of this riband is permitted before Government requirements are satisfied, the issue of the riband will be delayed for a very long time. As in the case of the 1914 Star riband, which was similarly registered, this riband will be released for general sale as soon as sufficient quantities are obtained. The War Office is not only responsible for obtaining sufficient riband for the Army, but has to provide for the consolidated requirements of all Government Departments, which include the Admiralty, Air Ministry, Colonial Office, Board of Trade, India Office, and all Dominions.

Sir I. PHILIPPS

Then my right hon. Friend has no intention of licensing all the traders in this country who desire to provide this riband for soldiers after the public issue has been completed?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No; I do not intend to do that, but I think it is perfectly natural that we should try to get the riband out for men who have earned it as quickly as possible, and for that purpose we muse have control in the first instance.

Sir I. PHILIPPS

The right hon. Gentleman does not propose to license all the traders afterwards, because the wording in the Order is that they may not deal in it?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Oh, no!

Sir I. PHILIPPS

When the Army (Annual) Bill was before this House, my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Cumberland (Major C. Lowther) proposed that the Army licence should be given, and the right hon. Gentleman will probably remember that he said he could not accept it.

Mr. CHURCHILL

My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that I have no intention whatever of over-riding the law of the land, and if I had such extreme intention I could not carry it into effect. The law has been passed and must rule. Administrative action can in no way run counter to law.

Sir I. PHILIPPS

But does not my right hon. Friend see that if he makes this a Patent production, and does not take steps to see that it is not a monopoly, he is creating a gigantic monopoly in the country for the supply of riband to 10,000,000 soldiers and sailors?

Mr. CHURCHILL

No, Sir; what we want to do is to get these ribands out so that they may be worn before the people have almost forgotten about the War, and the moment that is over there will be free trade.