§ Q8. Mr. John Leeasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the creation of a new decoration for acts of gallantry by civilians to rank in between the George Cross and the George Medal; and if he will recommend that the award of the British Empire Order for such acts should be discontinued.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The George Cross and George Medal both rank above gallantry awards in the British Empire Order, and I see no sufficient grounds for thinking that awards in that Order should not continue to be made in recognition of less outstanding bravery.
§ Mr. LeeWhile I do not pretend that this is a particularly important problem now, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he does not agree that there is a slight anomaly in that, if one accepts that the George Cross is the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross and the George Medal the equivalent of the Military Cross and the Military Medal, there is no equivalent to the Distinguished Service Order or the Distinguished Conduct Medal grade of gallantry in civilian awards?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree to some extent. This is a very difficult problem for everyone concerned with recommendations for awards, and there has recently been a tragic case which has given rise to my hon. Friend's Question. But we should be careful about suggesting the creation of new Orders, particularly of gallantry. It might cause further confusion and perhaps even some disparagement of the existing Orders.