§ 9. Sir CHARLES TOWNSHENDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state whether it has yet been decided, with regard to the late War, which battles are to be signified by clasps, not only in the principal theatre of the War, but in the secondary theatres like Mesopotamia and Palestine also?
18. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for War if any decision has yet been arrived at concerning the clasps to be given for service in the great War?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to the award of clasps for 2003 service during the great War, but the point indicated in the question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Wrekin Division will not be lost sight of.
Colonel BURNIs it decided to give a clasp or not—it is a long time since the War: we ought to know whether or not clasps are or are not to be given—that is my question?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo decision has been come to.
15. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that the British war medal has been awarded by the Admiralty to all officers and men who performed 28 days' mobilised approved service between 5th August, 1914, and 11th November, 1918, irrespective of whether the service was performed afloat, overseas, or solely at home on shore, he will say why he is not prepared to issue British war medals to the Army on the same basis?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI have nothing to add to my previous answers on this subject to the hon. Member.
Mr. THOMSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say why this differentiation between the one service and the other should be made: it is a question of cost?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI can only answer for the service for which I am responsible. I have answered a good many questions from the hon. Gentleman on the subject.