§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been reached on the proposals for a service medal for members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the RUC Reserve and for a long service medal for members of the RUC Reserve.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have decided that it would be right to recognise the services of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve in the present situation in Northern Ireland. I have therefore recommended to the Queen that, to mark these services, a service medal should be instituted for the RUC and its Reserve, together with a long service medal for the Reserve, and the Queen has given her approval. The terms and conditions of the service medal are set out in a Command Paper (Cmnd. 8602) which is being laid before the House today.
An amendment to the Royal warrant for the Special Constabulary long service medal making provision for the long service medal to be awarded to members of the RUC Reserve has been published. A copy of the revised warrant is being placed in the Library of the House.