§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether members of the Civil Defence Force, 1939–45, are entitled to wear the defence medal; and to which other medal they are entitled.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI have been asked to reply.
Anyone who undertook certain civilian service in one of 50 different categories in the United Kingdom for a period of not less than three years between September 1939 and May 1945 may qualify for the defence medal; and these categories include relevant service in a number of organisations with the words "civil defence" in their title. I am arranging for copies of leaflets giving full details of those who may qualify to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Service qualifying for the defence medal does not as such confer entitlement to the award of any other medal.