§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2002,Official Report, column 35W, whether the Russian Government have asked for the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal to be officially recognised since 19 November 2002. [126566]
§ Mr. RammellThe Russian Government have not requested permission for the Defence of the Arctic Region medal (DSARM) to be officially recognised by the Government since 19 November 2002.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware that British veterans of the Second World War Arctic Convoys feel strongly about this issue and are keen to accept the Russian medal. We are sympathetic and keen to give a positive response should the Russian Government formally seek the Government's authority to award the DSARM to British citizens.