§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement about awards for members of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have decided that it would be right to recognise long and efficient service by members of the Ulster Defence Regiment. I have therefore recommanded to the Queen that two new medals should be instituted to mark such service and she has given her approval. The first award, to be known as the Ulster Defence Regiment medal, may be granted to part-time officers and members of the regiment who have completed 12 years efficient service. This is a similar basis to that for the granting of efficiency awards in the Territorial Army. The second award, to be known as the medal for long service and good conduct—Ulster Defence Regiment—may be granted to soldiers of the permanent cadre of the UDR on the completion of 15 years' service. This is a similar basis to that for the granting of the long service and good conduct medal to soldiers of the Regular Army. Members of the Ulster Defence Regiment will continue to be eligible to receive the general service medal with the clasp "Northern Ireland" on the present basis. The Royal warrants instituting the new medals are being published today as Command Papers (Cmnd. 8603 and 8604).