§ 53. Sir B. STANIERasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been 1370 called to the indignation aroused among the relatives of soldiers killed in France by the refusal of the Government to allow them to put crosses over their graves instead of the regulation headstone; and whether, in order to avoid outraging their sentiments, he is prepared to allow those relatives who wish to record and demonstrate the fact that those whom they love died in the Christian faith to erect crosses over their graves?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the replies given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Finchley on Tuesday last and to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans on Wednesday last fully explaining the circumstances which led to the adoption of a regimental headstone bearing an incised cross. The question of a cruciform memorial as distinguished from the headstone with a cross engraved upon it has for some time been engaging the attention of the Imperial War Graves Commission. No decision of a hasty or arbitrary nature will be taken and every endeavour will be made to interpret truly the wishes of those concerned.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLCertainly; or I would put a deputation in contact with the Imperial War Graves Commission.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat is a matter which I cannot attempt to prejudge, but the reasons which have led to the present view were very fully stated, and there are very great physical difficulties in the way of giving that full indulgence to individual feeling which no doubt everyone would wish.
§ Mr. DEVLINWhat physical difficulty is there in placing a cross over a grave?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI could explain to my hon. Friend in detail a great many difficulties there are, especially having regard to the length of time within which it is necessary that memorials should be put up. There are more than 500,000 graves to be dealt with in France alone.