19. Captain TUDOR-REESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Army Council with regard to the claim of the Devon Territorials to the 1914–15 Star; whether he is aware that over a year ago a deputation of Devon Members interviewed the then Secretary of State for War on the matter; that that Minister promised to give the claims immediate attention; that a month or so later the matter was referred to a tribunal on hard cases presided over by Earl Cavan; that certain hon. Members appeared before them and dealt with the case; that that tribunal promised to make their recommendations to the Army Council forthwith; that ever since, question after question has been asked in this House, and the reply has always been that the matter was still before the Army Council; whether he will now state the reason for the long delay; and when, if he cannot give it now, the decision will be announced?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI greatly regret that no decision can be announced. The subject of the grant of medals and clasps raises a number of complex and delicate issues, but I hope that the conclusion of our deliberations will be reached shortly.
Captain TUDOR-REESThis question has now been dragging on for over two years, and is the right hon. Gentleman not able to tell us approximately, at any rate, when the announcement will be made, and can he state the real reason for the delay?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI do not want to make any mystery about it. The reason is that it is an extremely difficult question to deal with. This question of clasps and medals has very intricate consequences, and the Army Council have been considering it, and they are still considering it.
§ Mr. HURDIn view of the large number affected, would it not be well to call in somebody to help the Army Council?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe Army Council has been advised by a Committee, but on the question of clasps alone, if one set of decisions is come to it means 24,000,000 clasps, a thing not lightly to be undertaken.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTThis question deals with the 1914 star and surely a decision can be come to one way or the other?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is nothing else but a desire to be absolutely fair to all branches of the Service, and I do not want to come to a piece-meal decision. I want to review the whole question and decide it as a whole.
Captain TUDOR-REESIf I put another question down in a fortnight, will the right hon. Gentleman then be able to give me a reply?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI should hate to have to give the same reply again in a fortnight. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will postpone it for a month or two.