Written question asked by Hugh Robertson (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 December 2003. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 December 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress has been made in the award of the Russian Arctic Convoy medal to UK nationals. - (Holding answer 15 December 2003).

Answer: Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the award of the Russian Arctic Convoy medal to UK nationals. [144010] Mr. Rammell: [holding answer on 15 December 2003]: Government rules governing the acceptance of foreign awards by British Nationals preclude the acceptance of medals for services more than five years before consideration. In addition, the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal (DSARM) is a campaign medal and it was agreed at the end of the Second World War, by the then allied countries, not to exchange campaign medals. (The Atlantic Star is the British medal awarded for service in Atlantic Convoys.) However, officials have been examining the possibility of an exception to the present rules to permit veterans to accept the DSARM should the Russian Government formally seek the Government's authority to award the medal to British Citizens. A decision on whether an exception can be made is expected shortly.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 144010; 415 c796W;415 c796-7W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Armed conflict Military decorations World War II Russia Arctic Veterans
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk