§ 47. Mr. Edwin Leatherasked the Prime Minister whether, while acknowledging that the honorarium paid to holders of the Victoria Cross bears no relation to the fame of that decoration, he will consider an increase in that honorarium.
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not proposed to make any change at the present time.
§ Mr. LeatherWould my right hon. Friend not agree that it would be no more than justice to raise this particular honorarium at least to allow for the depreciation of its value, and that the cost involved to the country would be very small in comparison with an act of justice and generosity?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is quite true that the pecuniary award attached to the grant of the Victoria Cross has no relation whatever to the fame of the deed for which it is awarded, and the actual assessment would be very difficult to make. Certainly for many years this discrepancy has existed, and I am not sure that this is the moment for us to make a change.