27. Mr. Astorasked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is proposed to issue the ribbon of the Africa Star to those entitled to it under the White Paper?
Mr. AlexanderAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22nd September, in the Navy the 1939–43 Star takes priority of award over the Africa Star and no one eligible for the former will receive the latter. The qualifications for the 1939–43 Star have not yet, however, been completely settled and until these are known, the issue of the Africa Star by the Admiralty is not practicable.
Mr. AstorCan my right hon. Friend say when these qualifications are going to be completely settled, because there is some feeling in the Navy over the fact that the Army are beginning to wear this Star and there is nothing in the Navy?
§ Sir A. SouthbyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are many officers and men employed in shore establishments without whose work we should not have come through these fateful years, and who, under the Regulations in the White Paper, are not entitled to wear this ribbon?
Mr. AlexanderWe have taken into consideration all these things, but of course we must have some reasonable common level of award for all the Services.
Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteIs it not a fact that those on shore duties in the African theatres will be entitled to this decoration while others who took the convoys to Malta and other important centres of operations are not so entitled?
Mr. AlexanderThere are a number of points with regard to period and places and so on, but if my hon. and gallant Friend would like answers in detail, I would like to see the Question on the Paper.