35. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Home Secretary if any medals are being issued to War-time special constables, and, if so, what are the qualifying conditions necessary to secure these medals; how many are being issued; and whether the numbers allotted to each force are based on total strength, length of service, or size of area and population served?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes. A medal, styled the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, with bar, has been instituted by Royal Warrant to recognise service rendered by special constables during the War, and the qualification for the medal is service for a period of not less than three years, without pay, during the War, and the performance during that period of at least 150 duties. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Royal Warrant. Up to the present date, about 55,000 medals have been issued for War service. The medal is awarded, like other War medals, to every man who fulfils the prescribed conditions. There is therefore no question of allotting definite numbers to the various forces.