§ Mr. Ian StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have received the general service medal or other awards for service in the area of hostilities during the Iran-Iraq war.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIn recognition of service in the Gulf region, with special regard to the dangers and hardship accompanying that service, Her Majesty the Queen graciously approved the award of the general service medal (1962) with "Gulf' clasp for personnel who served in the Gulf region on board vessels of the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary between 17 November 1986 and 31 October 1988, and during continuing mine countermeasures (MCM) operations between 1 November 1988 and 28 February 1989.
Qualified personnel who had previously been awarded the General Service Medal (1962) have received the clasp only.
So far 6,316 general service medals and 402 clasps have been awarded to members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Seventeen medals have been awarded to Army personnel and two to members of the RAF.
In addition, one Queen's gallantry medal and two Queen's commendations for brave conduct have been awarded to naval personnel for explosive ordnance disposal operations following the collision between HMS Southampton and MV Tor Bay in 1988.