HC Deb 14 July 1920 vol 131 cc2391-2
60. Sir JAMES REMNANT

asked the Prime Minister whether Article 3 of the Treaty with the French Government of 1919 on the subject of war graves gives the Imperial War Graves Commission authority to decide on the policy of removing or not removing bodies to England, or whether it merely constitutes the Commission as the regulating authority to decide the propriety and time of such removals?

Mr. CHURCHILL

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The Imperial War Graves Commission in this and all other matters carries out the policy approved by the Government and the Governments of the Dominions. Article 3 of the Treaty between the British and French Governments vests the Commission with authority to give effect to this policy in France. The policy of the Government as to the removal of bodies from France has already been fully explained by me to the House in answer to previous questions on this subject. In particular, I would refer the hon. Member to my answers to the Noble Member for Aldershot on the 14th July, 1919, to the hon. and gallant Member for Fairfield on the 25th March, 1919, and to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley on the 18th February, 1919.