– in the House of Commons at on 6 December 1939.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there are any set principles upon which decorations for gallantry are awarded to officers and other ranks in the Royal Air Force; and which of these decorations carry financial rewards?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
Conditions governing the award of decorations for gallantry to officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force are set out in various Statutes and Royal Warrants, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a summary of these in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with particulars of the financial benefits, that are associated with the awards in certain cases.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
In view of the widespread ignorance as to the way these awards are granted and the various grounds for complaint which, rightly or wrongly, arise, can the right hon. Gentleman say what authority decides how these awards are to be given between the Services, between various units in the Services and between various ranks in each unit?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
I think the hon. Member had better put that question on the Order Paper.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS AND DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. —The Distinguished Flying Cross is awardable to officers and warrant officers and the Distinguished Flying Medal to non-commissioned officers and aircraftmen, for exceptional valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy.
Men-special pension of £10 a year, and £5 for each bar, payable from date of act of bravery. Pension may be increased under the same conditions and to the same extent as provided for officers. If discharged with service pension or disability pension, additional pension of 6d. a day payable (plus the special £10, pension). Only one additional pension payable per man. If the man was commissioned when awarded the Victoria Cross no additional pension is payable
Warrant officers— £20 gratuity, and £20 for each bar, payable on transfer to reserve or appointment to commission or discharge without pension. If discharged with service or disability pension, additional pension of 6d. a day payable in lieu of above gratuity. Only one additional pension payable per man. If the man was commissioned when awarded the Military Cross or Distinguished Flying Cross, no additional pension is payable.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that tile medal of the Order of the British Empire is regarded as an appropriate reward for the merits of shorthand typists, and ethers engaged on duties of clerical importance; and whether the same medal in the military Division is also regarded as an appropriate reward for gallantry in action?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
The medal of the Order of the British Empire, for meritorious service, is not granted to shorthand typists or to clerical workers, nor is it usually awarded for gallantry when in action with the enemy. The medal of the Order of the British Empire, for gallantry, is awarded without regard to rank or occupation. This medal also is not usually granted for gallantry in action with the enemy.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
Does the right hon. G2ritIman recognise that this medal has, in fact, frequently been awarded for services of a clerical character? By that, I do not necessarily mean a low class of clerical service. May I further ask why, in the case of a non-commissioned officer, a pilot, who displayed great gallantry in the air when his machine had been shot down he was given the medal of the Order of the British Empire in preference to the Order of the Distinguished Flying Cross?
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
I cannot reply to that question unless the hon. Member informs me of the case he has in mind, and if he does so I will look into it. As far as tie granting of awards is concerned, I am informed that it is done as stated in the reply to the question. If the hon. Member has any further particulars to give me, I will examine the matter further.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
asked the Prime Minister whether there are any coordinated principles governing the award of decorations for valour and merit in the different fighting Services, and in particular governing the award of those decorations, such as the Victoria Cross, which carry financial benefits; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these awards are made on considered principles of consistency and fairness as between the various Services, and between all ranks within those Services?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
A co-ordinating committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in time of war was set up early in September. The scale of awards will be reviewed, and recommendations made, periodically by this body, which does not, of course, adjudicate on specific cases, selection for recommendation for the award of such decorations as the Victoria Cross being a matter for the Department concerned. I am not aware of any instance in which the principles of consistency and fairness as between the various Services and between all ranks within those Services are not observed, having regard to the differences in conditions. It is open to a Department to raise any question of this kind for investigation by the committee.
Mr George Garro-Jones
, Aberdeen North
Is the Prime Minister aware that, however little he may have heard about it, there is a great deal of dissatisfaction among the Service principals concerned, as between the various Services; and may I ask him whether the principles upon which this co-ordinating committee will operate will be published, in order to remove the impression of reticence which is characteristic of the Government's method of dealing with this matter?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
That will be considered.
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