§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange to amend the rules concerning the issuing of medals and replacement medals to include grandchildren of the person entitled to such medals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer Friday 26 April 1991]: The issue of campaign medals by my Department for services in the Merchant Navy is made in accordance with the rules agreed between the Central Chancery, Orders of Knighthood, and the Ministry of Defence on 21 May 1973. Under these, replacement medals are issued only to the first generation of legal beneficiaries which would exclude grandchildren.
There appears to be no reason to depart from these rules in the case of medals for merchant seamen, about which I have corresponded with the hon. Member.