§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister what was the total number of military honours awarded to Service personnel engaged in the Falkland Islands war giving the figures, respectively, for officers and other ranks; and what are the comparable figures to date for the Northern Ireland campaign in each year since 1970.
§ The Prime Minister:The total number of military gallantry honours awarded in the Falkland Islands campaign was 676, of which 360 were awarded to officers and 316 to other ranks. Of the total, 303 were Mentions in Despatches. In addition all members of the Task Force (including civilians), are to be presented with the South Atlantic Medal, the recognised campaign medal for the operation to repossess the Falkland Islands.
In reply to the second part of the hon. Member's question, the numbers of military awards to officers and other ranks in Northern Ireland from January 1970 to April 1982, are 1,246 and 1,275 respectively. The breakdown by year is as follows:
Officers Other ranks 1970 1 2 1971 12 34 1972 80 103 1973 199 188 1974 107 116 1975 157 152 1976 76 52 1977 72 81 1978 93 134 1979 132 116 1980 130 107 1981 102 113 *1982 85 77 Total 1,246 1,275 * To April.