WAR DECORATIONS AND MEDALS (Hansard, 22 September 1943)

§ 53. Mr. Perkins
asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Stroud and other hon. Members concerning the King's Badge; and whether the Government intend to take any action in the matter?

§ The Prime Minister
In view of the interest taken in this matter by a large number of Members in all quarters of the House, the proposal has again been carefully examined. In the opinion of the Government, however, there are good reasons for adherence to their previous conclusion in the matter, which was announced to the House on 9th June, 1942.

§ Mr. Perkins
Can the Prime Minister tell the House the reason?

§ The Prime Minister
On another Question I am suggesting that we should have a Debate on these matters presently, and that will be a better time than now.

§ 54. Mr. Turton
asked the Prime Minister whether the Africa Star will be granted for service in Cyprus between 10th June, 1940, and 12th May, 1943?

§ 57. Captain C. S. Taylor
asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the Motion on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. and gallant Member for Eastbourne, on War Decorations and Medals; and whether he will give time to debate this subject?

§ 59. Mr. Hewlett
asked the Prime Minister the grounds on which the grant of the Africa Star is, for the Navy, restricted to service on shore or in harbour in the same areas and between the same dates as the Army; and whether, in view of the extensive collaboration in all North African areas of activity of His Majesty's naval vessels, the officers and men concerned will either be granted the Africa Star or allowed to choose between this award and the general 1939–43 medal?

§ 60. Sir L. Lyle
asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider extending the grant of the general 1939–43 medal to anti-aircraft gunners in this country, in view of their constant arduous services in dealing with enemy air attack?

§ 61. Wing-Commander Hulbert
asked the Prime Minister whether he will recommend that the 1939–43 medal be awarded to all personnel of Anti-aircraft Command, Balloon Command and the Air Sea Rescue Service who have been under enemy air attack either in Great Britain or home waters?

§ 62. Mr. Woodburn
asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to consider the issue, as a token of the nation's gratitude, of a special medal or chevron to wives and parents whose husbands and sons have been killed?

§ 66. Mr. Palmer
asked the Prime Minister the considerations governing the decision that Anti-Aircraft Command should not be classified as an operational command for the purposes of the award of the 1939–43 Star; and whether he will review the question of an award to men in this command?

§ The Prime Minister
Service in Cyprus will not qualify for the Africa Star. Malta alone of the Mediterranean islands is included in the award of this Star, by reason of its heavy action and long ordeal in combination with the operations in Africa. 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 reason for this is that, from the naval point of view, service in the African campaigns cannot be accepted as ranking before the worldwide services performed by the Navy in other areas of operations. Sea-going personnel of the Air-Sea Rescue Service and of the barrage balloons will qualify under the same rules as the Navy. Service on land on the home front presents many difficult borderline cases on which opinion may well mature. When the Africa and 1939–43 Stars are manufactured after the war, they will be given as mementos to the next-of-kin of those who have suffered death as a result of service in a theatre of operations during the periods laid down. With regard to the Motion standing in the name of my hon. and gallant Friend and other Members, I consider it desirable that this matter should be open to debate when the House meets again later in the year. I have given a great deal of attention to this subject and will myself take charge of the Debate. We are going to get on with the giving out of the medals. We are not going to delay the issue of the ribbons but the question is whether some others should come in. There are officers and men, some of whom have been fighting for three years continuously, and who, perhaps, have only a decoration for personal gallantry on their breasts. They will value it very much. We must be careful riot to destroy the value of the award by making it practically universal. On the other hand, it may well be that some expansion may be permitted from the present conception. Everyone will recognise the difficulty of the problem and how easily opinions may differ upon it.

§ Sir William Davison
Would my right hon. Friend consider the award of this medal to the civilians, fishermen, yachtsmen and others who helped to evacuate our Forces from Dunkirk at great personal risk?

§ Captain Taylor
While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask 205 him how the Debate will arise? Will it take place on the Adjournment of the House?

§ The Prime Minister
I think we can easily find a peg to hang it on, but I certainly hope the House will be able to find time to discuss this, because we obviously want to make these awards correspond with the general wish and feeling of the country and of the House, which represents the country, and also to make them in a form which will be acceptable to the far more critical opinion of the Fighting Services.

§ Mr. Evelyn Walkden
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he intends to issue ribbons to the legitimate next-of-kin so that they will be able to wear them as women members of the British Legion proudly wore their husbands' ribbons after the last war?

§ The Prime Minister
In the case of those who are bereaved?

§ Mr. Walkden
Yes.

§ The Prime Minister
I will consider that. At present I have not advanced beyond giving the Star afterwards, when it is ultimately issued, as a token. There may be something in the hon. Gentleman's suggestion, and I will look into it.

Colonel Evans
Can my right hon. Friend tell us when the Army, Navy and Air Force orders actually governing the details of these awards will be published?

§ The Prime Minister
We have issued a White Paper on the subject which I think was comprehensive, but I will inquire into the exact state of the issue of the orders. As I say, there must be no delay.

§ Mr. Palmer
Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is the intention to announce policy before or during the Debate?

§ The Prime Minister
I have announced policy, and a White Paper has been laid. I might have a few codicils to add as result of rumination in the interval, but what I should seek would be an opportunity to profit from the Debate, to see what is the real feeling.