'Get this scandal sorted out': Dudley MP criticises Government over British medals made in France

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, raised the subject at Prime Minister's Questions as he called on Mr Cameron to "get this scandal sorted out".

The Prime Minister replied he "wasn't aware of this issue" but pledged to "certainly take away what he says".

Mr Austin said: "People in the Midlands are absolutely furious to learn that the Government's awarded a contract to make British medals to some French company.

"Imagine it Mr Speaker, imagine it, you open your Distinguished Service Order or your CBE and it says 'Fabrique en France'. Now I've visited Midlands medal manufacturers in Birmingham's jewellery quarters, they are the best in the world.

"He should go back to Downing Street, call in the Cabinet Office minister and get this scandal sorted out."

Mr Cameron responded: "The only point I would make to him, is I'm sure all of those in the Royal Mint in Wales would want to contest the fact that they make the finest medals in the UK and I'm sure the competition between them and Birmingham is very intense.

"I'll certainly take away what he says, I wasn't aware of this issue, but I'm always in favour where we can make something in Britain, we should make something in Britain."

A Downing Street source confirmed the Prime Minister was not previously aware of this.

A senior Labour source said: "I was surprised the Prime Minister didn't know about it, this Government has failed British workers time and again."

The Prime Minister's spokeswoman said later: "No French company has been awarded a contract to manufacture medals. What happens is there is a medals and insignia framework which a number of countries can go on, from which they can then compete for business.

"There are eight companies that have been agreed for the framework, seven of those are British, one (is) French.

"Because of the changes that we introduced to the procurement rules last year, we are allowed to take in local impact when we award contracts such as these and that is exactly what we intend to do."

A Cabinet Office spokeswoman later said: "I can confirm that no French firm has been awarded a contract.

"Eight companies won a place on the medals and insignia framework, including seven British firms.

"Last year we introduced new procurement rules to take local impact into account when awarding contracts and that is what we intend to do."