HC Deb 15 April 1964 vol 693 cc60-1W
25. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many survivors of the first and second world wars hold the Military Medal; how many of them have received the £20 grant; and if he will reconsider the present policy of not making this grant to those who won the medal in the first world war.

Mr. Ramsden

I have no record of how many holders of the Military Medal are still living or of how many of them have received the £20 gratuity. Those who won the medal during the second world war—who numbered about 17,000—received either the gratuity or the alternative of an addition to pension of 6d. a day.

The decision not to pay the gratuity or addition to pension to those who won the medal before 3rd September, 1939, was taken by the Government of the day in 1945. Successive administrations have maintained it and I do not think there is a case for changing it now.