Honours (Hansard, 6 November 2002)

§ Andrew George
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what categories of gallantry honour are awarded by the United Kingdom. [79547]

§ The Prime Minister
I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
In addition to the various categories of gallantry honour available to the Services and the Armed Forces, there are four levels of award for civilian gallantry:

Level 1 The George Cross¹

This award is granted only for actions of gallantry of the greatest heroism or for the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It may be granted posthumously but is restricted to British subjects.

Level 2 The George Medal

This award is granted for gallantry of an extremely high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects.

Level 3 The Queen's Gallantry Medal

This award is granted for gallantry of a high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects.

Level 4 The Queen's Commendation for Bravery and The Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air These awards are granted for gallantry not up to the foregoing standard but entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition. Both awards may be granted posthumously and are not restricted to British subjects.

Note:

¹ The Victoria Cross is the first level military award for gallantry, and the standard set for the GC should reflect a similar degree of heroism. (The military Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is the military equivalent to the GM; the DSC, Military Cross and DFC to the QGM; and Mention-in-despatches to the Queen's Commendation.)

§ Andrew George
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many gallantry honours have been awarded and how many of those awarded posthumously, in each of the past 10 years for which records are available. [79548]

§ The Prime Minister
I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
398W
Figures for gallantry awards during the years 1992–2002 are as follows:

George Cross George Medal¹ Queen's Gallantry Medal¹ Queen's Commendation for Bravery¹

1992 Nil 2 2 36

1993 Nil 2(1) 13(1) 41

1994 Nil 1(1) 7(1) 58

1995 Nil 2(1) 14(1) 57(2)

1996 Nil 2(2) 17(2) 56(1)

1997 Nil 2(1) 9(3) 20(1)

1998 Nil 1 6(2) 18

1999 Nil Nil Nil 7

2000 Nil 2(2) 1 22

2001 Nil 1 1(1) 11

2002 Nil Nil 1 4(1)

Nil 15(8) 71(11) 330(5)

Note:

¹ Figures in brackets indicate the number of these awards that were made posthumously.

§ Andrew George
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many posthumous gallantry honours have been awarded to(a) non-UK citizens, (b) UK citizens for acts of gallantry outside the UK and (c) non-UK citizens who had previously been citizens of the UK in the last 10 years. [79546]

§ The Prime Minister
I am replying to this question as it relates to matters for which I am responsible.
Statistical records do not indicate the nationality of the recipients of honours, nor are they kept in a form which indicate the country in which the acts of gallantry took place.

Level 1	The George Cross¹
	This award is granted only for actions of gallantry of the greatest heroism or for the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger. It may be granted posthumously but is restricted to British subjects.
Level 2	The George Medal
	This award is granted for gallantry of an extremely high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects.
Level 3	The Queen's Gallantry Medal
	This award is granted for gallantry of a high order. It may be granted posthumously and is not restricted to British subjects.
Level 4	The Queen's Commendation for Bravery and The Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air These awards are granted for gallantry not up to the foregoing standard but entailing risk to life and meriting national recognition. Both awards may be granted posthumously and are not restricted to British subjects.
Note:
¹ The Victoria Cross is the first level military award for gallantry, and the standard set for the GC should reflect a similar degree of heroism. (The military Conspicuous Gallantry Cross is the military equivalent to the GM; the DSC, Military Cross and DFC to the QGM; and Mention-in-despatches to the Queen's Commendation.)

	George Cross	George Medal¹	Queen's Gallantry Medal¹	Queen's Commendation for Bravery¹
1992	Nil	2	2	36
1993	Nil	2(1)	13(1)	41
1994	Nil	1(1)	7(1)	58
1995	Nil	2(1)	14(1)	57(2)
1996	Nil	2(2)	17(2)	56(1)
1997	Nil	2(1)	9(3)	20(1)
1998	Nil	1	6(2)	18
1999	Nil	Nil	Nil	7
2000	Nil	2(2)	1	22
2001	Nil	1	1(1)	11
2002	Nil	Nil	1	4(1)
	Nil	15(8)	71(11)	330(5)
Note:
¹ Figures in brackets indicate the number of these awards that were made posthumously.