§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the award of a medal for service in Iraq. [144009]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 15 December 2003]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 November 2003, Official Report, columns 768–69W, to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Flook). The case for the award of a campaign medal to recognise service in Iraq is currently with the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals for their deliberation. I expect to make a further announcement in the new year.
§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the eligibility criteria are for the award of a medal for service in Afghanistan; and what medal that is. [144011]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 15 December 20031: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 November 2003, (Official Report, columns 768–9W) to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr Flook). I expect to make a further announcement in the New Year.
§ Hugh RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to introduce a medal for service during the Cold War. [144013]
§ Mr. Caplin[holding answer 15 December 2003]: There are no plans to institute any additional medals for service between the end of the Second World War and the break up of the Soviet Empire in the early 1990s, a period generally referred to as the Cold War.