§ 23. Major HAMILTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether some medal will be given to those who volunteered for service in the early days of the War and served for long periods at home, their age or physical condition only preventing their services overseas?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe question of the award of a medal for service at home during the War will receive further consideration as soon as the preparation and issue of the War medals is more advanced.
§ Major HAMILTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that many old men may be passed into the next world before this modal is issued. It is two years since the Armistice, and these gentlemen, some over 60 years of age, who gallantly served at home in the Defence Force are still awaiting some recognition of their service?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWe are giving consideration to this question as quickly as possible, but the issue of medals is a long and tedious process.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House an opportunity of discussing this matter before a final decision is come to, in view of the strong opinion in the country that medals should not be given to men described as physically unfit to serve their country?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMy Noble Friend will have an opportunity very shortly of discussing the question on the Estimates.
§ Mr. LANE-FOXHow far has the issue of War medals gone?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI must ask for notice of that question.
§ 30. Mr. RENDALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether, over half a million war medals have had to be melted down owing to their being defective, and a further number melted because the War Office changed its mind as to the design; and what is the total cost of the medals which, owing to these causes, will have to be replaced?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIn reply to the first part of the question, I 1590 would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 22nd February to the hon. and gallant Member for Fair-field. As regards the second part, the change in the finish of the Victory Medal does not involve any melting down, but merely re-treatment. I regret to say that it is estimated that the nugatory expenditure involved will be £9,770 in replacement of those medals melted down, and £12,000 for re-treatment of all the medals issued and made before it was decided that the medal should have a bright finish.