§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce a provision for the automatic award of a posthumous medal for British soldiers killed in action; and if he will make a statement. [133010]
§ Mr. HoonIt has been a long-standing practice in this country that those killed while on campaign or operational service automatically qualify for the relevant campaign medal, which is presented to their next of kin. In this way, the deaths of many of those members of our armed forces who are killed in action are already recognised by the award of a medal.
The institution of new medals is approved by Her Majesty The Queen, based on the advice submitted to Her by the interdepartmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. There are currently no plans to institute a new medal for personnel killed in action. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is however considering the whole question of recognition of those who die while serving in the armed forces.