§ Sir J. LEIGHasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to recent complaints in the public Press that ex-soldiers entitled to medals for service in the War are still waiting for their medals to be issued; what is the total number of medals already distributed; what is the estimated total still to be distributed; and if he will expedite, as far as possible, the issue of all medals overdue to all ex-soldiers entitled to them, whether they have made formal application or not?
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§ Mr. S. WALSHNo complaints have come specially to my notice recently, but I am aware that some medals have not been issued, not because they are not ready, but because the men concerned have not kept the authorities informed of their addresses. Many medals sent out have consequently been returned by the Post Office, but I am not able to say the total number remaining undistributed from this cause. There is now no other reason for any delay in completing the distribution. Many notices have already been inserted in the Press inviting men to communicate their addresses, and similar notices have been displayed in cinema theatres. In these circumstances, I regret that I can take no further steps to expedite the issue of medals. The total number of medals already distributed is over 13,000,000.