RECOGNITION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED ON RMS ST HELENA IN THE FALKLANDS WAR

That this House pays tribute to residents from the British Overseas Territory of St Helena and others who volunteered to support the United Kingdom in recovering the Falklands following the invasion by Argentina in 1982; recognises with deep gratitude that the RMS St Helena, the only vessel which provides a lifeline for the remote island of St Helena in the South Atlantic, was deployed to assist the UK armed forces; regrets that, purely because of operational considerations, the RMS St Helena was placed outside the exclusion zone during part of the conflict, and a decision was taken not to honour those serving on board with the South Atlantic Medal presented to others who were engaged in the Falklands War; and calls upon the Government to make amends for this slight against those who served on the RMS St Helena, and who risked their lives, by amending the criteria so that they can be awarded the South Atlantic Medal following commemorations of the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War.