HL Deb 21 February 1968 vol 289 cc388-9

2.35 p.m.

LORD MOYLE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the recipients of the Victoria Cross, the Albert Medal and the George Medal receive tax-free annuities, and, if so, of what amounts.]

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, recipients of the Victoria Cross receive a tax-free annuity of £100. Holders of the Albert Medal and the George Medal do not receive annuities.

LORD MOYLE

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend for an explanation why there is this discrimination against the holders of the George Medal and Albert Medal, having regard to the fact that they are cases where gallantry has been recognised? Why not fully recognise it in the same way as the Victoria Cross recipients?

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, it has been a very long established principle that monetary payments should not be made in respect of civilian awards for gallantry. The exception for the George Cross was strictly on the understanding that the George Cross is the civilian counterpart of the Victoria Cross and equal to it in every way. Though the Albert Medal and the George Medal are both awards indicating a quite exceptional degree of gallantry, it would be wrong to bracket either of them, as the George Cross is properly bracketed, with the Victoria Cross.

LORD MOYLE

My Lords, may I ask this further question? In view of the fact that the Albert Medal is held by those who have been responsible for exceptional gallantry, why not give them the same treatment as the holders of the Victoria Cross?

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, this seems to be exactly the same question that my noble friend asked before. The only exception so far as civilian gallantry is concerned is the annuity paid to George Cross holders, and this was made quite clear at the time it was inaugurated.

LORD IRONSIDE

My Lords, would the noble Lord say how many living recipients there are of the Victoria Cross annuity?

LORD BOWLES

My Lords, I cannot say that without notice, but I could give figures for the other medal holders.