asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the cause of the delay in the issue of long-service medals to men who served in the National Army.

The delay in the issue of service medals is due entirely to difficulty in obtaining satisfactory dies from whichthe medals can be struck. Two sets of dies have already been rejected as being unsatisfactory. It is felt that every care should be taken, even if it entails some extra delay, to ensure that the finished medal is a worthy product.

A new set of dies is being manufactured and delivery of this set has been promised for an early date. If these fresh dies are approved, the striking of the actual medal will be commenced with the minimum possible delay.

Can the Minister say why it is difficult to get dies struck?

It is not difficult to get them made but, when they were made, there were defects found in them and they were rejected because of the defects.