Asked by: Lord Ashcroft (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Astor of Hever on 15 December 2014 (HL3258), whether any gallantry medals have been awarded but not gazetted in the last 15 years.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
Unless precluded on National Security grounds all gallantry medals awarded are a matter of public record via an announcement in the London Gazette.
Asked by: Lord Ashcroft (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many gallantry medals have been awarded but not gazetted.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Asked by: Lord Ashcroft (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost to the United Kingdom of the military intervention in Libya; and what is their assessment of the benefits to the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
The net additional cost of military operations in Libya in 2011 was £234 million.
Our military actions in Libya protected civilians under threat of attack and saved lives. All our actions were consistent with our obligations under international law and with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which allowed all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack.
Asked by: Lord Ashcroft (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will revisit the circumstances in which the late Corporal McLaughlin was recommended for a gallantry award during the Falklands conflict which was subsequently withdrawn; and if not, why not.
Answered by Lord Astor of Hever
The noble lord will be aware of the hon. Member for Wallasey’s (Ms Eagle) Westminster Hall debate on 18 November about posthumous recognition for Corporal McLaughlin. Following the debate, the Minister of State for Defence, Personnel, Welfare and Veterans (Anna Soubry) and I have agreed that while a formal investigation is not an option, I will re-examine the facts surrounding recognition in this case. However, to be clear, no citation for an award was received for consideration by the Ministry of Defence and therefore it would be incorrect to say that Cpl McLaughlin had a recommendation withdrawn. The issue is that no citation was actually submitted for consideration by the Operational Awards Committee; a fact that is acknowledged by all parties.