Arctic Convoys (Hansard, 27 January 1997)

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received in respect of Arctic convoy veterans. [12549]

§ Mr. Soames
My Department has recently received a number of letters seeking the institution of an Arctic campaign star to recognise service given on the Arctic convoys during the second world war. Replies have been sent to all these letters, explaining that service with the Arctic convoys has already been recognised by the award of the Atlantic star, and that there are no plans to institute any further medals for service given in the second world war.

§ Mr. Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for the striking of a medal for the merchant and Royal Navy seamen who took part in the second world war Arctic convoy systems; and if he will make a statement. [12548]

§ Mr. Soames
Service with the convoys to north Russia during the second world war was recognised by the award of the Atlantic star. There are no plans to institute any further medals for service given in the second world war.

§ Mr. Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will meet second world war Arctic convoy veterans of north-east Wales concerning their requests for an Arctic campaign star; and if he will make a statement. [12550]

§ Mr. Soames
My Department has no plans to hold any meetings with those who served on the convoys to north Russia during the second world war to discuss the 31W institution of an Arctic campaign star. Service with the convoys has already been recognised by the award of the Atlantic star.