§ Captain Pluggeasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the public dissatisfaction at the slow issue of awards for gallantry; how many awards for the first Libya campaign have not yet been announced; and whether, in view of the beneficent effect on the troops concerned of prompt action, he will expedite official procedure?
§ Mr. SandysI am not aware of any cause for dissatisfaction on this score. With the exception of eight cases in which there have been doubts about the identity of the individuals concerned or other similar difficulties, no recommendations for awards made in respect of the first Libyan campaign are outstanding. In the case of periodical awards the average time between the receipt of the recommendation and gazetting is about two months. In theatres where fighting is active, immediate awards for gallantry up to and including the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Conduct Medal are granted without any avoidable delay. In such cases the average time which elapses between the receipt of the Commander-in-Chief's recommendation by cable and the notification of His Majesty's approval is not more than four days.