Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 November 2007. It was answered by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Monday, 3 December 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq: Medals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend the regulations for the award of campaign medals to members of the armed forces who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan to enable indication of the number of multiple deployments which have been undertaken.

Answer: There are no plans to amend the regulations for the Iraq campaign medal and operational service medal Afghanistan to recognise multiple tours. To acknowledge that armed forces personnel are returning to theatres of operation where they have already received a campaign medal the accumulated campaign service medal was introduced in January 1994. The medal recognises long campaign service rendered by members of the armed forces since 14 August 1969. It is awarded to holders of the general service medal 1962, the operational service medal, British campaign medals and approved medals instituted by other recognised organisations for multinational operations, on completion of 36 months accumulated campaign service, after first qualifying for the appropriate medal. A clasp is awarded for each subsequent period of 36 months accumulated campaign service.

Secondary information