§ Lord Mountevansasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to change the system of operational gallantry awards for the Armed Forces.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)My right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced earlier this year that steps would be taken to remove distinctions by rank from the Armed Forces system of operational gallantry awards. As a result of a comprehensive review I am able to announce changes to the system which have been approved by Her Majesty The Queen.
The four levels of award underlying the present system will be retained. At the first level, the Victoria Cross, which is already available for award to all ranks, is unaffected.
At the second level, conspicuous gallantry is recognised at present by the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for officers, and by the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) for non-commissioned ranks. Conspicuous gallantry will in future be recognised by a new award, with a title which has yet to be decided; it will apply to all three Services and will be open to service personnel of all ranks. The DSO will continue in being but will be open to all ranks and will be awarded in recognition of exceptional service in positions of substantial responsibility for command and leadership during active operations.
At the third level the present distinction between gallantry at sea, on land and in the air will be retained and the existing Distinguished Service Cross, Military Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross will be available for award to all ranks.
The award Mention-in-Despatches, available to all ranks in all three Services, will be retained but will be reserved for operational gallantry. A new award called "Queen's Commendation for Valuable Services" will be introduced to recognise the wide variety of other services within an operational theatre which have hitherto attracted a Mention in Despatches. These two awards will be announced in the London Gazette and will be accompanied by a certificate and an emblem to be worn on the ribbon of the appropriate medal.