Written question asked by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 July 2010. It was answered by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 July 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Members

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances hon. Members who have visited (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan on official business are eligible to receive operational service medals.

Answer: Members of Parliament who visit operational theatres do not meet the qualifying criteria for the campaign medal and as a consequence are not eligible and do not receive any such medal.A Member of Parliament would only qualify for an official campaign medal if he or she was a member of the reserve forces and officially mobilised to an operational theatre. There are Members of the House who are Reservists and as such have been mobilised to operational theatres.

Secondary information