§ 33. Mr. Martin Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for War why no awards of the Military Cross to junior officers, or of the Distinguished Conduct Medal or Military Medal to those in the ranks, have been given for service in Korea, while two lieutenant-colonels have received the Distinguished Service Order, and two majors the Victoria Cross and bar to the Military Cross, respectively.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)The hon. Member has been misinformed in that the award of a bar to the Military Cross was made to a captain and not to a major. Moreover, the Military Cross has now been awarded to a second-lieutenant, and the Military Medal to a warrant officer and a corporal.
§ Mr. LindsayCan the Secretary of State for War explain why so few awards have been made—and only since this Question was tabled—to the junior ranks, and will he have the whole procedure for considering these recommendations speeded up, bearing in mind that it is only through the gallantry of those under his command that the senior regimental officer can himself qualify for an award?
§ Mr. StracheyI understand that there are a number of recommendations on the way, but I should be loth indeed to interfere with the discretion of the commanding officers and the commander of the British troops there in the granting of these awards for gallantry.
§ Mr. LindsayIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not a question of the discretion of commanding officers? They make recommendations, and it takes two or three months for those recommendations to be decided upon.
§ Mr. StracheyI do not think the delay is in the War Office.
§ 41. Mr. Cuthbertasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the delay in paying active foreign service pay to His Majesty's Forces in Korea is causing dissatisfaction amongst the troops there and to their families; and if he will take steps to remedy this matter.
§ Mr. StracheyI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Major Beamish) on 6th and 13th February.
§ Mr. CuthbertIs the Minister aware that, in particular, the 27th Brigade, who have been in Korea since August last, will not be very pleased about his answer, considering that they had a special allowance in Hong Kong before they left which was cancelled when they went to Korea, and considering that prices are three or four times higher in the N.A.A.F.I. there than they are at home? Is he aware that this is causing great dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. StracheyThis is not a question of active service pay, which does not exist in the Army. It is a question of a local overseas allowance based on the cost of living as compared with the cost in Hong Kong. We are always ready to receive recommendations from the commanding officer on that matter in respect of Korea.
§ Mr. CuthbertSurely when these troops had an allowance in Hong Kong and that allowance was taken from them when they went into the fighting line, something can be done?
43. Mr. F. P. Crowderasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the distress caused to forward troops of the Middlesex Regiment, owing to the fact that as late as 12th January of this year they had not received supplies of boots appropriate to winter conditions in Korea; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter.
§ Mr. StracheyBoots of Finnish pattern, which are designed for use in snow, were made available in Korea in sufficient numbers for the whole of the 27th Brigade by 22nd November. I have not received any reports of undue delay in their issue, although there may have been some temporary difficulty in meeting individual requirements in sizes.
Mr. CrowderIs the Minister aware that, according to my information, the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment had 1050 not received any of these boots as late as 12th January and as a result large numbers of our troops are suffering from pneumonia and frostbite?
§ Mr. StracheyI find it very difficult indeed to credit that information because, as I said, ample supplies have been in Korea since 22nd November.
§ Mr. A. R. W. LowDoes not the Minister remember giving the House an assurance earlier than November that all the necessary winter clothing had arrived in Korea and how does he justify that assurance in view of this information?
§ Mr. StracheyWinter clothing had arrived before that. For example, the 29th Brigade took this winter clothing out with them, but extra supplies of boots, making certain they were available for all troops, arrived on 22nd November.
§ Brigadier Prior-PalmerWill the Minister look into the distribution after their arrival, if they did arrive, in Korea, because it looks as though they have not been distributed?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, but distribution must be a matter for the authorities and the commanding officers in Korea.
Major LloydIs it not deplorable that the only way in which these grievances can be discovered and ventilated is through Members of Parliament? Ought not the Minister to tell us the facts?
§ Mr. StracheyWith respect, I have given the House the facts.
§ 44. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that tea is being sold by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to troops fighting in Korea at a price of 6s. 2d. per pound; and what steps he is taking to secure that Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes prices are kept reasonably low.
§ Mr. StracheyThe retail prices for tea sold by N.A.A.F.I. in Korea are 5s. 9d. and 6s. 2d. a pound. The prices are subject to a 10 per cent. discount and compare favourably with the prices charged' by N.A.A.F.I. and local civilian shops in Hong Kong. The prices charged by N.A.A.F.I. are fixed by the Board of Management who, in spite of rapidly 1051 rising costs, are making every effort to keep prices as low as possible.
§ Mr. TurtonWill the Minister bear in mind that N.A.A.F.I. have monopoly rights and make very large profits out of those rights? Will he see that troops in forward areas can get their supplies from N.A.A.F.I. at a reasonable price and at a short distance from where they are fighting?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, but I should deprecate any suggestion that N.A.A.F.I. is not providing a good service there. After all, if N.A.A.F.I. make profits, those profits are all used for Army or public purposes.
§ Earl WintertonIn view of the many complaints, whether justified or not, from troops in Korea about comfort and welfare, will the Minister give serious consideration—I do not ask for an answer now—to sending out an impartial committee or commission of inquiry? No doubt there is great dissatisfaction.
§ Mr. StracheyI do not think this would be a case for a committee of inquiry.
§ Mr. ChetwyndCan my right hon. Friend say why troops in Korea have to buy tea? Is not an adequate supply of tea provided by the authorities?
§ Mr. StracheyCertainly; but they can buy extra tea from the N.A.A.F.I. if they wish to do so.
Air Commodore HarveyIs it not time that a responsible Minister from the Front Bench went to Korea and had a look at these things himself?