Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 April 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 April 2006. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Monday, 2 October 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Medals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which (a) individual and (b) organisation was responsible for deciding that the qualifying period for the award of the Naval General Service Medal and/or clasp for Canal Zone service would not be fulfilled by 30 days’ aggregated service; and when that decision was taken;

Answer: [holding answer 27 April 2006]: A sub-committee of the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals, which is an inter-departmental committee administered on behalf of the Government by the ceremonial Secretariat of the Cabinet Office, took the decision on the qualifying service required for an award of the Naval General Service Medal and/or clasp for Canal Zone service. It is not possible to respond to the detailed questions, as MOD is not the holder of this committee’s records.

Secondary information