§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of producing the conspicuous gallantry cross medal awarded to Corporal Wayne Mills; and what will be the unit cost of future medals. [25170]
§ Mr. NelsonThe Royal Mint supplied the medal under contract to the Ministry of Defence. The terms on which the Royal Mint supplyies medals to its customers are not disclosed for commercial reasons.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to bring the intrinsic financial value of medals in line with the valour honoured by their award. [25173]
§ Mr. NelsonNone.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 April,Official Report, columns 266–67, what are the reasons for the costs of those medals whose cost exceeds £3,000. [25181]
§ Mr. NelsonThe cost of insignia is dictated by the complexity of the design, the materials used and the labour costs.
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§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to continue recycling the insignia of the Order of the Garter; what is the cost of recycling; and what plans he has to recycle other insignia. [25172]
§ Mr. NelsonCurrent practice will continue. The insignia of the Order of the Garter is always returned on the death of a holder, renovated and reissued when another knight is appointed. Renovation costs depend upon its condition on return, but represent a significant saving over replacement by new insignia. All other insignia that are returned—for example, on promotion within the same order—are already also renovated and reissued.