When we have to deal with 6,000,000 or 7,000,000 medals with four or five clasps apiece the figures run to 25,000,000 or 30,000,000.
I cannot undertake that the medals will be kept back until the clasps are completed.
The possibility, however, of awarding clasps for particular operations is a matter that is now receiving careful consideration.
The replacement cost is £6·86 for the stars and 76p for the clasps.
The principal qualification is 12 years' continuous satisfactory service, and clasps are awarded for additional periods of eight years thereafter.
We have to put the clasps on a similar basis.
The question of clasps, or bars as they are sometimes called—in my opinion miscalled—on medal ribbons will not come up till after the war.
No decision as to clasps has yet been reached.
