THE EARL OF ONSLOWasked the noble Lord the Under Secretary of State for War whether it was true that the Government of the Dominion of Canada had been notified that Volunteer officers 866 would be granted decorations for 20 years' meritorious service; and, if so, whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to advise the extension of the decorations to Volunteer officers in India and the Colonies?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Lord SANDHURST)said, as to the first part of the question, it was not correct that a communication relating to the decorations for meritorious service given to Volunteer officers in this country had been sent to the Dominion Government of Canada. With regard to the second part of the question, the announcement would be interesting to their Lordships that proposals had been made for extending the decorations now worn by Volunteer officers in the United Kingdom to Volunteer officers in India and the Colonies. Those recommendations had been graciously approved by Her Majesty. Communications to that effect would without delay be forwarded to the several Colonial Governments, and the result would be that Indian and Colonial Volunteer officers would be placed on the same terms as Home Volunteer officers.