§ Major Conantasked the Secretary of State for War why it is that a Meritorious Service Medal awarded in peace-time carries an annuity whereas the same medal awarded on the field does not.
§ Sir J. GriggThe position is not as implied by the Question. Meritorious Service Annuities, to the number of 750, are provided for soldiers who have given long and highly meritorious service in the Army, and who have received the Meritorious Service Medal on that account. Vacancies are filled from eligible applicants as they occur. The medal was also given during the Great War in respect of meritorious war service and it was in a way quite a different award. The recipients of the medal under this arrangement have no preferential claim on the annuities. They will, if they are eligible, be considered in their turn but most of them have not the necessary service and other qualifications.
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Mr. JohnstonThe number of temporary houses applied for is 55,708 and the number provisionally allocated is 34,462. I am sending detailed particulars of the allocation to the lion. Member. With regard to the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to a Question by the hon. Member for the Woodbridge Division of East Suffolk (Mr. W. R. Taylor) on 23rd January, of which I am sending him a copy.
Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can give any figures for the programmes of servicing at sites for temporary houses in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Greenock; and how far these programmes have been realised.