asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been arrived at for the issue of home-service medals to troops who were kept in England for home defence in the War period; and whether any special decoration will be given to those who joined up for service in August, 1914, but were not allowed to go to the front?

The question of issuing a medal or decoration for the performance of general military duty at home was most carefully considered by the late Government. It was decided in the negative, and I am unable to hold out any prospect that this decision will be varied.