HC Deb 14 July 1955 vol 543 cc2109-10
47. Major Anstruther-Gray

asked the Prime Minister how many months' service in Kenya, engaged upon operations against the Mau Mau, are required to qualify a member of the Services for a medal; and whether the period of qualification is the same for all three Services.

The Prime Minister

For service on land in the operational area the qualifying period is three months for all three Services. For aircrew it is thirty days.

Major Anstruther-Gray

Yes, Sir, but may I ask my right hon. Friend whether it is fair that a man should qualify for this medal after thirty days' flying, whereas it takes a soldier three months on the ground to qualify? One does not have to be braver to fly over the top of some Mau Mau than to meet them face to face, so will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the Army will get fair play in this matter?

The Prime Minister

I do not think my hon. Friend would wish me to follow him into comparisons as to the gallantry of those in the Services, all of whom carry out their duties in different operations with real credit. The reason for this differentiation, which, of course, is not new and exists in many fields everywhere, is that the Army services are nearly always there for longer periods than that which qualifies for the medal, whereas the aircrews sometimes are only there for relatively short periods. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any evidence that this differentiates unfairly on the Army, I am quite ready to look into it.

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