TIMING OF THE AWARD OF THE SUEZ MEDAL 1951-1954

Early day motion 1507, tabled 1 July 2003 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 74 members.

That this House welcomes the Government's recent announcement to award Suez veterans who served in the Canal Zone between 1951 to 1954 the General Service Medal; is delighted that the Committee for the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals reached this conclusion after the veterans' 50 year campaign; is concerned that the detailed qualification criteria for the medal, followed by the application process and final issue of a medal may take up to a further three years; notes that the veterans are now elderly and many are infirm, and that many Suez veterans and campaigners have already died awaiting the award of a medal; and urges the Ministry of Defence to publish quickly the criteria for qualification and to ensure that resources are in place to process the applications swiftly, so that the veterans can wear their medals with pride without a further long delay.

Signatures by party: Labour 31, Liberal Democrat 24, Conservative 8, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1.