MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary of State for War whether a soldier having seven entries in his regimental sheet incurred during his first nine years of service is eligible for the good conduct medal in the event of his getting one entry for gallant conduct as a set-off?
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§ Mr. HALDANEUnder paragraph 1744 King's Regulations a soldier, who is otherwise eligible for recommendation for the Good Conduct Medal, is not disqualified by reason of seven entries for offences incurred during the first nine years of his service, if he has one entry for gallant or distinguished conduct which may be counted as a set-off against one of the offences.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the amendment of the King's Regulations 417, 1,743, 1,744, regarding the assessment of an exemplary character as affecting eligibility for the good conduct medal, as under the present War Office ruling a soldier with possibly eighteen years' service who has only one offence, but several entries for gallant conduct, the offence being committed during the last nine years, is not eligible to receive the good conduct medal?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe conditions for an exemplary character are laid down primarily with a view to the assessment of character on discharge, and it is essentially in the interests of soldiers generally that the characters given on discharge should accurately represent their value for civil employment. I think that the hon. and gallant Marquess will, on further consideration, agree with me that it would not be expedient to reduce the value of these certificates in the direction suggested.