§ Mr. CHADWICKasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the officers and men of the Royal Army Medical Corps who served in the hospital ships "St. Patrick," "St. David," and "St. Andrew," which were employed in bringing wounded from France from August, 1914, until May, 1919, have been awarded the 1914–15 Star, while a similar award has been refused to the masters, officers, and crews of these vessels, and whether, in view of the fact that the risks run by all the officers and men on these vessels have been identical, he will cause the decision conveyed to the House by the Financial Secretary to the Admiralty to be reconsidered?
§ Mr. LONGThe award of the 1914–15 Star is confined to the naval and military forces of the Crown, and the Admiralty are not prepared to recommend its extension to persons who did not form part of those forces. I am aware that in some cases this may lead to anomalies, but the anomalies arising from this cause are not considered to be nearly so great as those which would be involved by a departure from the principles laid down.
§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the men of the 1st Garrison Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who went out to India in 1915 and were chased by U-boats en route are entitled to the 1914–15 Star; and, if not, can he state if these men will be entitled to any decoration in recognition of their services in India?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe 1914–15 Star is granted to those members of His Majesty's Forces who served in certain specified 2029W theatres of war between the outbreak of war and the 31st December, 1915. India as a whole was not a theatre of war, and service there does not qualify for the award. With regard to the latter part of the question, the matter is under consideration.