§ 16. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Assheton Pownallasked the Secretary of State for War whether members of the A.T.S. are eligible for awards such as the D.S.O., M.C., D.C.M. and M.M.
§ Sir J. GriggMembers of the A.T.S. are not eligible for the D.S.O., M.C., or D.C.M. They are eligible for the V.C., G.C., G.M., M.M., for appointment to the appropriate classes of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division), or the award of the British Empire Medal (Military Division), according to rank, for Mentions in Despatches and for Commendations for brave conduct.
§ Sir A. PownallDoes not my right hon. Friend think that if women are employed operationally in anti-aircraft units there ought to be the same eligibility for D.S.O., M.C., D.C.M. and M.M. as is given to the men serving alongside them?
§ Sir J. GriggI think there is an apparent inconsistency in the rules, but in point of actual fact the V.C. and the M.M. are now only awarded for active operations against the enemy in the field. Should conditions ever arise when women are really operationally employed against the enemy, the matter will require further consideration.
§ Colonel GreenwellAre not operations in the air, really operations in the field? Many of these women are employed in the aircraft service.