20. Lieut.-Colonel Windsor Cliveasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction in the Army at the delay in publishing awards of decorations, including immediate awards; 10 and what steps he proposes to take to accelerate such publication.
§ Sir J. GriggThe delay in publishing awards of decorations is due partly to the time it often takes in the course of operations for the recommendations to reach the Commander-in-Chief from his subordinate commanders, partly to the necessity to check carefully the particulars of the individuals concerned so as to ensure that no mistake is made, and partly to the considerable increase in the number of recommenations made when, as in the last months, there has been heavy and incessant fighting. I very much regret this delay and all possible steps to reduce it will certainly be taken. But in present circumstances it may not be possible to reduce it appreciably.