§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the award of war medals and stars as indicated in his reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Chichester (Lieut.-Commander Joynson-Hicks) on 15th November, 1944.
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The necessary consultations, including those with the Dominion Governments, are not yet completed but progress is constant and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will make an announcement at the earliest moment.
§ Lieut.-Colonel DowerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a whole day's Debate took place in this House a year ago and that there has been a series of Questions ever since then; and cannot he give some indication as to what this "earliest moment" is going to be, and, in particular, if a decision has been arrived at on the question of whether the men who were in action during the Battle of Britain will get a medal or star?
§ Mr. AttleeThe hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise, from the number of Questions, the difficult point which arises. It is a matter which has to be concerted with the Dominion Governments and we have not received their full answer yet. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is hopeful of being able before long to give an answer, but I cannot give an exact day.
§ Commander Sir Archibald SouthbyDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that many months have now gone by since we were promised a reply on this matter, and that it is one which gives rise to considerable feeling in all the Forces, in view of the anomalies which the present system is bound to cause?
§ Mr. AttleeI am sure that those considerations are very present to the mind of my right hon. Friend.