11. Lieut. - Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Admiralty have authorised the issue of the British War Medal to all coastguards with 28 days of mobilised service; whether arrangements will now be made to issue this medal to all those who were mobilised during the recent War and borne on the strength of a recognised unit?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 22nd March to the hon. Member for Paddington (North).
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these coastguards worked during the War side by side with the home service troops, and that there is very much soreness because a large number of men who were prevented from going abroad on account of age were unfavourably dealt with as compared with Naval men?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is true that the Admiralty and the War Office have taken different courses in regard to what I might call the non-combatant elements of the forces, but that must be accepted. The War Office policy is that the War medal is given, in the first instance, to those who went to the War. There are several millions of those. The issue of this medal will take two or three years for them, and I cannot regard it as an urgent matter at present to decide whether the War medal shall be extended to about 1,500,000 other persons who did not go to the War because they were unfit to take part in active operations. Certain I am that the claim of the fighting soldier must be considered in priority.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSCannot the right hon. Gentleman anyhow allow these old men the pleasure of wearing the ribbon during the years they will have to wait for the medal?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am not prepared at the present stage to pre-judge the question of the General Service Medal. Personally, after very grave consideration, I am entirely opposed to giving the same medal to the great mass of men who never left this country as we give to the men who fought.
§ Viscount CURZONMay I ask whether it is not a fact that a great many of the coastguards actually served with the Fleet at sea?
§ Major Earl WINTERTONIn view of the serious admission that the War Office and the Admiralty have a different policy in the issue of these medals, may I ask whether a chance will be given, and on what Vote, to discuss the action of both Departments? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the giving of the medal to these coastguards will cause very great 198 discontent among a large number of men in the Army?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLHard cases do not make good law. The Admiralty have to deal with a problem infinitely smaller, in a numerical sense, than that of the War Office. The small number of Naval men who get the medal who would not get it if they were in the Army, is no guide to what would happen if the 1,500,000 men, who on military grounds made a similar claim, were included
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman approach the Leader of the House with the view of having this matter discussed—the different policies of the Admiralty and the War Office? The right hon. Gentleman may smile, but it is a most serious matter.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSurely it is no part of my business to approach the Leader of the House with a view of inaugurating a Debate in criticism of the policy of the Government.