§ 10. Mr. Farrasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of living holders of the Military Medal who received that award prior to 2 September 1939 and also the number of those living who received the same honour subsequent to 2 September 1939.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownApproximately 116,000 Military Medals were awarded in the First World War and about 17,000 in the Second World War. I am afraid that I have no means of knowing how many recipients of the medal are still alive.
§ Mr. FarrWill the Minister correct the disgraceful anomaly by which those who won the medal after the outbreak of the last war received a financial reward whereas those who gained the distinction before the outbreak of the last war received no such recognition? Will he examine this and put it right, as it will cost little?
§ Mr. BrownNo. The financial benefits associated with the Military Medal were introduced in 1945. The Government of the day decided that the awards could not be back-dated beyond 1939 because it would have been impossible to trace all those who were entitled to payment. That decision has been upheld by successive Governments when the matter has been reconsidered.