Mr. REDMONDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish the Army Order dealing with posthumous honours, and whether he is aware that mis- 1436W apprehension exists on this matter; whether the Order deals only with the manner in which decorations awarded before death are to be handed to the next-of-kin; and whether the rule remains as before the Order was issued—that is to say, forbidding the bestowal of any honour or decoration other than the Victoria Cross after death has occurred?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Army Order was published on the 28th October. I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy. I am aware that some misunderstanding has arisen and a communiqué appeared in the Press on the 17th November in which it was made plain that the Army Order relates only to those officers and soldiers who had been awarded a decoration during their lifetime, but who died before actually receiving the insignia. The answer to the third and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative.