Scottish Parliament cannot issue LANCASTRIA medal

Scottish Parliament cannot issue LANCASTRIA medal
Scottish official says matter is reserved, but MSP's may take it up with those responsible

Shipping Times was contacted last week regarding the Lancastria Association of Scotland claims that officials at the Scottish Parliament were seeking to scupper a commemorative medal to those involved in Britain's worst wartime maritime disaster.

The official strenuously opposed the use of the word 'hypocritical' in relation to claims by the Association that the Parliament had issued a medal in 1999 and said that this was simply untrue and that issuing of commemorative medals for veterans was a reserved matter, meaning that only the UK government can deal with it..

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said:

"The petition has not yet been submitted to the Committee, nor has the Committee met to consider it. Therefore, it is not possible to speculate on how the Committee might respond to the issues raised.

"Whilst having the utmost respect for the Lancastria veterans, the role of parliamentary officials in the processing of petitions is to gather information and advice for the Committee. It is for the members to determine how to take petitions forward.

"The commissioning of a medal for veterans is a reserved matter, even though veteran issues are devolved. The petitioner has been informed of this but the petition remains live and will be considered by the Committee when Parliament resumes. It is perfectly possible that the MSPs may chose to take up the matters raised with those who do have the power to commission medals."