§ VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH, in rising to ask, Whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that the officers, seamen, and soldiers of the naval, marine, and military forces employed at Suakin between March, 1884, and May, 1886, shall be disentitled to the medal about to be distributed for services during that period in the cases of such amongst the number as had already received the medal for 1882? said, he claimed that the operations at Suakin were distinct from others undertaken in Egypt, and ought no more to be classed with them than the campaign in Burmah could be classed with the Afghan Expedition.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Lord SANDHURST), in reply, said: I understand from the Question of the noble Viscount that he wishes to know whether a second medal is to be granted to certain portions of the forces serving at Suakin at certain dates. This question was fully considered, and it was decided that there should only be one medal for all war service in Egypt and the Soudan from 1882 onwards, and that certain clasps should be given for certain specified actions with the enemy. Full Regulations will be found in General Orders of His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief for the years 1884 and 1885. I may add that, as regards the sailors and 623 marines, this decision was arrived at by the Board of Admiralty of the last Government, and this opinion is concurred in by the noble Marquess the First Lord of the Admiralty (the Marquess of Ripon).