§ 22. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the rewards for distinguished or meritorious service referred to in the annual Estimates and paragraph 675 of the Royal Warrant are awarded for services rendered before retirement or since retirement; how many such awards in each of the ranks of general and colonel have been made in the last year; and whether their names are published in any official document available to the public?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Douglas Hacking)These rewards are made primarily in respect of services rendered before retirement, but would cover services rendered during any period of re-employment in the Army after retirement. Of the awards made during the past year, 10 were made to general officers and six to officers of the rank of colonel. The names of these officers are not published.
§ Brigadier-General NATIONIn view of the general interest in this matter, would it not be possible to publish the names of these officers and the reasons for the granting of the award? Surely, this cannot be a matter of secrecy?
§ Mr. HACKINGEvery award has to be sanctioned by the Secretary of State in person and by His Majesty the King, and, as the consideration of means comes into these awards occasionally, it is not thought desirable that the names should be published.