§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the metal specification of the Gulf medal; when it was authorised to be made; when the first issue to recipients was made and when the issue will be completed; if he will make a statement about the quality of the production and speed of issue; and whether he intends to seek competitive tenders for future issues of medals and awards.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Gulf medal is made of cupro-nickel. The Command Paper for the Gulf medal was approved by Her Majesty the Queen on 10 August 1991, and it was published and laid before Parliament on 20 August 1991. The order for the manufacture of the medals was placed later that month; the first medals were produced by the Royal Mint in October 1991 and the first issues made in November 1991. The initial dispatch rate of 1,000 medals per week has now been more than doubled, and it is expected that the bulk of issues of the medal will be completed by the end of July 1992. The Government have been satisfied with the quality of the medal produced by the Royal Mint. The possibility of seeking competitive tenders for future medal issues is under consideration.