§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the reasons for the continuing delay in supplying long service medals to police officers; and whether he will now permit private enterprise firms to supply such medals to prevent such delays in future.
§ Mr. WhitelawProduction difficulties caused partly by industrial action have delayed supplies of these medals in 1979 to the Home Office by the Royal Mint. I understand that production has now been resumed and that deliveries are expected shortly. I have no present plans to invite private industry to supply these medals.