§ 5. Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reconsider the decision not to award a campaign medal for service in the Suez Canal Zone in 1951–52.
§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithI thank my hon. Friend for that abrupt and very disappointing reply. The Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, asked that that service should be recognised. Is my hon. Friend aware that the number killed in the four months of the campaign was as great as the number killed in one year during the height of the Malayan emergency? Is my hon. Friend further aware that the Egyptian Government awarded their troops a medal? Is it really true that political considerations, which are now totally outdated, prevailed at the time to avoid giving offence to the Egyptian Government? Surely it is high time that the injustice was remedied.
§ Mr. WigginI am sure that I speak for the whole House when I say how welcome the change in my hon. Friend's title is.
§ Mr. CormackGive him a medal.
§ Mr. WigginThe matter was considered 30 years ago by the Army Board. I see no ground for reviewing it now.
§ Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If there was a personal reason for asking the question, I should have declared an interest in the campaign.
On a further point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.