§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Prime Minister for what reasons the award of the Defence Medal is withheld from medical staffs who have given service in the Emergency Medical Service and other war work, while subordinate hospital servants such as theatre porters and mortuary attendants are eligible for the 385W award; and whether he will rectify the position.
§ The Prime Minister:Hospital officers and servants, other than nurses and midwives, are not, as such, eligible for the award of the Defence Medal. It is granted to civilians primarily for Civil Defence service, and medical officers of the Civil Defence first aid services are eligible, subject to the approved conditions. If medical officers of hospitals, whether in the Emergency Medical Service or otherwise, were included, it would be difficult to exclude any qualified medical practitioners and it is hard to see where the line could be drawn.