Written question asked by Andrew Dismore (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 December 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 9 December 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the unit cost is of striking a campaign medal in (a) cupronickel and (b) silver; what the benefits to (a) the recipient and (b) the Government are of striking campaign medals in (i) cupronickel and (ii) silver; what the estimated cost is of reverting from striking campaign medals in cupronickel to silver; if he will revert to the practice of striking campaign medals in silver; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the unit cost is of striking a campaign medal in (a) cupronickel and (b) silver; [201735] (2) what the benefits to (a) the recipient and (b) the Government are of striking campaign medals in (i) cupronickel and (ii) silver; [201736] (3) what the estimated cost is of reverting from striking campaign medals in cupronickel to silver; [201737] (4) if he will revert to the practice of striking campaign medals in silver; and if he will make a statement. [201738] Mr. Caplin: Campaign medals, such as the General Service Medal, are made from silver. War medals, such as the Iraq Medal, have, since the Second World War, been made from cupronickel. There are no plans to revert to the practice of striking war medals in silver. The additional cost of striking a war medal in silver would depend on the market rate for silver bullion and the number of medals issued. The current difference in unit cost is approximately £10. The current unit cost of making a campaign medal in silver is £23.31 plus VAT plus bullion (which varies in price but at present is £5.92 per unit). The current unit cost of making a war medal in cupronickel is £19.93 plus VAT. While the silver medal is clearly a superior product, the quality of the cupronickel medal is considered acceptable and no justification is seen for a 17 per cent. cost increase, especially given the large number of war medals made.

Secondary information