§ 13. Lieut.-Colonel HILDERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is considering the advisability of introducing some such system of palms as obtains in the French Army, to be worn by officers, non-commisioned officers, and men who have been mentioned in dispatches?
§ 14. Sir J. BUTCHERalso asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the possibility of introducing a system of palms, such as prevails in the French Army, in order to give a recognition, to officers and men who have been mentioned in dispatches and who have not received any decoration or ribbon?
Captain GUESTThe French system is to award a palm in certain cases to a decoration in order to mark a special feature of the action as a reward for which the decoration h granted. Our system of "Mentions in Dispatches" does not obtain in the French Army. Palms are not awarded on a war medal. In these circumstances I am afraid we cannot use the French practice as a guide in cases of "Mentions in Dispatcher," but I am considering whether some other solution of the problem cannot be found.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that great numbers of these men who are mentioned in dispatches would have got war decorations had there been enough to go round?
Captain GUESTI do not think my hon. Friend fully appreciated my answer. Palms are granted as war decorations and not as war medals.