HC Deb 16 December 1936 vol 318 cc2440-1
16. Sir ROBERT YOUNG

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of awards distributed for special services during the Palestine expedition and how many of these were given to engine-room artificers, seamen and stokers, respectively, and whether any awards were given to naval men who volunteered for railway or other special services on land in Palestine?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Samuel Hoare)

Awards for gallantry during the emergency in Palestine have been made to one officer of the Royal Navy, one stoker petty officer and one leading seaman. These awards were for special services on shore in Palestine. Further awards for good service will be considered on receipt of recommendations from the Air Vice-Marshal or General in Command in Palestine.

Sir R. YOUNG

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these awards were given on the recommendation of the military authorities in Palestine?

Sir S. HOARE

As far as I can remember, I think that formally the recommendation came from the Air Vice-Marshal, but, no doubt, he consulted the naval authorities at the time.