Our Soldiers deserve recognition

HUGH CONTINUES CAMPAIGN FOR IRAQ WAR MEDALS

Hugh Robertson has continued his campaign to have Iraq War medals awarded to members of the Armed Forces who took part in the campaign. Hugh's latest attack came at Business Questions when he asked the Leader of the House, Peter Hain MP, to force the Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, to come to Parliament to make a statement.

A copy of the relevant Hansard is as follows:

Hugh Robertson (Faversham and Mid-Kent) (Con): The Leader of the House will be aware of the importance of medals to members of the armed forces. They constitute official recognition of the service that they give and, very occasionally, of the sacrifice that they are called on to make. Bearing in mind that the relevant Defence Council instruction was issued a matter of months after the 1991 Gulf conflict, and that members of the armed forces are now making an unfavourable comparison with members of the England rugby squad, whose awards were rightly rushed through, will the Leader of the House ask the Secretary of State for Defence to explain to the House why, nearly 10 months after the end of the Iraq war, no announcement has been made?

Mr. Hain: The hon. Gentleman will understand that the England team's fantastic victory in the World cup occurred a matter of weeks before the new year's honours were announced, so that presented a convenient opportunity to recognise their achievement. However, I understand the point that he makes. Many of my constituents fought not just in the previous war in Iraq, but in the recent one, and if they are eligible they deserve early recognition. The authorities will want to look closely at how that can be achieved.

Hugh said: “Before Christmas, the Ministry of Defence promised me that they would make an announcement in January.

“The armed services put their lives on the line for their country. They should receive the appropriate recognition as a matter of urgency. It is an utter disgrace that the government has left them in the lurch.”