§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to British participants in the European Community monitoring mission to Yugoslavia on the receipt and wearing of medals presented by the European Community; what rules apply to the receipt and wearing of medals awarded by the United Nations for peacekeeping duties; whether British participants in current operations in Croatia, Bosnia, the Adriatic and in enforcing the no-fly zone qualify for British campaign or gallantry medals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonBritish participants in the European Community monitoring mission in the former Yugoslavia have been advised that they should not accept the medal awarded by the European Community. Decisions on the acceptance and wearing of medals instituted by other countries are a matter for the sovereign, who is advised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Permission is not normally granted if the award is offered more than five years after the event it commemorates, or if an official British award has been instituted for the same period of service. The question of British awards for service in the former Yugoslavia, the Adriatic and in enforcing the no-fly zone is currently under consideration.300W The approval of the sovereign is required for British personnel to accept and wear medals awarded by the United Nations for peacekeeping duties. Her Majesty the Queen has recently agreed that British personnel who meet the qualifying criteria may receive the United Nations medal for service in the former Yugoslavia.