Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the range of medals and commendations that can be awarded to men and women serving in the Territorial armed services to increase recognition of their commitment and contribution to the service and protection of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Reserve forces personnel are fully eligible for all state honours, operational awards, and campaign medals, providing they are recommended and meet the associated eligibility criteria. In addition, they are eligible for the award of the Volunteer Reserve Services Medal (VRSM) when long service and conduct criteria is met - this award is similar in criteria to the award of the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal awarded to qualifying regular service personnel. There are currently no plans to widen the reserves specific medallic recognition and commendation eligibility criteria.

As the Territorial Efficiency Medal and Territorial Decoration are no longer awarded and were replaced in April 1999 by the VRSM, there are currently no plans to review the policy on post nominal recognition for the Territorial Efficiency Medal.