HL Deb 31 March 1999 vol 599 cc46-7WA
Lord MacKenzie of Framwellgate

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress they have made on the review of long service awards in the Armed Forces. [HL1832]

Lord Gilbert

Her Majesty the Queen has graciously approved the institution of a new award, to be known as the Queen's Volunteer Reserves Medal, to recognise outstanding service in the volunteer reserve forces. It will apply to volunteer reserves in all three services and will be open to service men arid women of any rank.

Her Majesty the Queen has also graciously approved the institution of a new award to be known as the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal to recognise 10 years continuous efficient service in the volunteer reserve forces. The Volunteer Reserves Service Medal will replace the Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, the Royal Naval Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the Efficiency Decoration, the Efficiency Medal and the Air Efficiency Award. It will apply to volunteer reserves in all three services and will be open to service men and women of any rank.

As far as the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals of the Regular Armed Forces are concerned, we have concluded that it is not necessary to recommend to Her Majesty any change in the existing awards.