§ 24. Mr. Ammonasked the Prime Minister whether he will give the names of the personnel of the Committee on the Grant of Honours and Medals in Wartime?
§ Mr. AttleeThe Committee on the grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in time of war serves under the chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury. The other members are the Permanent Heads of the Admiralty, Air Ministry, Colonial Office, Dominions Office, Foreign Office, India Office and War Office, together with the Private Secretary to the King, the Prime Minister's Private Secretary, the Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, the Naval Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Military Secretary to the Secretary of State for War, the Member of the Air Council for Personnel, and the Secretary, Military Department, India Office. The Secretary to the Committee is an Officer of the Treasury. The Permanent Heads of cer- 151 tain other Departments of State are added to the Committee when matters specially concerning those Departments are under consideration.
§ Mr. AmmonMay I ask whether the gentleman who presides over the Committee is Sir Horace Wilson, and whether this is the Committee which decided that an equal award should not be given for equal merit in the Royal Air Force?
§ Mr. AttleeI cannot say anything without notice with regard to what previous decisions have been made. The Permanent Secretary to the Treasury is Sir Horace Wilson.
§ Mr. AmmonDoes not this indicate that persons prejudiced on social lines are given an opportunity of deciding these matters?
§ Mr. RileyIs it satisfactory that such powers should be placed in the hands of civil servants to decide without any authority from the Government or Members of the War Cabinet?
§ Mr. GranvilleIs it intended to co-opt somebody connected with the Civil Defence services on that Committee?
§ Mr. AttleeI should require notice of that Question.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesWill this Committee take into consideration the question of grants of honours for civilian heroism in war-time, in view of recent developments in this country?
§ Mr. AttleeThat is a matter of opinion. In reply to the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones), this Committee does take into account civilian acts of gallantry.
§ Mr. ShinwellSurely my right hon. Friend does not regard an important matter of this kind as a matter of opinion?
§ Mr. AttleeI was asked the question as a matter of opinion. This is a committee which deals with the general details of the matter, because the main matters of policy concerned are dealt with by the Government. The responsibility for the award of honours is the responsibility of the Government.