§ 69. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the indignation which has been aroused amongst ex-service men by the sale of war-medal ribbon to an outside contractor; that in some cases the ribbon has been made up into braces and sock suspenders; and whether he will consider giving the surplus ribbon to the British Legion on the understanding that it is only used for approved purposes and in a manner which can give no offence to any service or ex-service men?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, there is no longer any surplus medal ribbon in the possession of the War Office.
§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKECan the hon. Member state when the former conditions regulating the sale of ribbon were withdrawn, and who was responsible for the calamitous blunder of withdrawing those conditions?
§ Mr. COOPERNo conditions were withdrawn. Certain ribbon was sold to a contractor some time ago as surplus, but no such sale will be made in the future.
§ Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKECan my hon. Friend say who was responsible for withdrawing the conditions?
§ Mr. COOPERThe department of the War Office was responsible, and of course the Minister in charge at the time is always responsible for the action which his department takes.