§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations have been made to his Department by veterans of the Suez campaign regarding eligibility for a Suez Medal Clasp. [125941]
§ Mr. CaplinSince 11 June, when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in the House that the Naval General Service Medal 1915–62 and the General Service Medal 1918–62 would be awarded for service in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954, the Ministry of Defence received 4,896 representations. These consisted of 4,790 applications for the medal to the four single Service medal offices, eight parliamentary questions, 44 letters from hon. Members and 54 letters from members of the public. In addition, there have been an unknown number of telephone calls to the Ministry of Defence about the new medal.