HL Deb 21 October 1971 vol 324 cc487-8

3.32 p.m.

TIIE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, may I interrupt your Lordships' proceedings for a moment to repeat a Statement that has been made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister in reply to a Question this afternoon. The Statement reads as follows: In recognition of the services of Her armed forces in Northern Ireland, The Queen has approved proposals for the grant of the General Service Medal and clasp for specified service in the Province. Details of these proposals are set out in a Command Paper which I am presenting to Parliament to-day. My Lords, copies of the Command Paper are available in the Printed Paper Office.

LORD GREENWOOD OF ROSSENDALE

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friends and myself, I should very much like to welcome the Statement that the noble Lord has just made. May I express the hope that the situation in Northern Ireland, which calls for the display of bravery so evident at the present time, will not be of long duration.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, I also welcome the Statement made by the noble Lord. If anybody has deserved a medal for this kind of service, it is our Army in Northern Ireland at this time.

LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us whether this is a precedent for the award of this kind of medal, or whether such a medal was awarded in the period immediately after the First World War?

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot answer the noble Lord's question without notice. I should know, but, unfortunately, I do not. I will let the noble Lord know about it.