§ 55. Captain John Crowderasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what complaints he has received of the poor quality of the medals issued in respect of the last war, and particularly the Burma Star and the 1939–45 Star; and what metal is used for these stars.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)Some 13 million medals and stars have been delivered and the great bulk of these issued; so far, complaints have been received from two individuals. The answer to the second part of the Question is an alloy of copper (92 per cent.) and zinc (8 per cent.).
§ Captain CrowderCan the Economic Secretary say how the Burma Star compares in quality with the Mons Star of 1914? Is he aware that the British Legion have made several complaints about the poor quality of these stars and that some are sent out in such a jagged and unfinished state that recipients have cut their fingers when opening the box on receiving their medal?
§ Mr. JayJudged from the volume of complaints I should think that it compares favourably. There was a much larger volume of complaints after the First World War.