§ 75. Mr. STANTONasked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange that the Imperial War Graves Commission should send to the relatives of fallen soldiers a photograph, and the number, location, and nearest railway station to the graves of their sons or relatives as soon as such a procedure is possible.
§ Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSON (Parliamentary Secretary, War Office)The Imperial War Graves Commission have no authority under their charter of incorporation to expend public money in taking photographs of graves. Until last September the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries supplied such photographs at the request of relatives, the cost being met from funds supplied by the Red Cross. The funds are now practically exhausted, the money in hand being only sufficient to meet outstanding applications. The number and location of a grave, as well as the nearest railway station, can always be ascertained on application at Winchester House.
§ Mr. STANTONWill not the right hon. Gentleman volunteer to send this information to the relatives, as they do not happen to know how to send, or where to send a letter. Surely that is not too much to expect from your Department?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEWould it not be a good thing if some public funds 2185 could be allocated for this purpose in view of the tremendous sentimental interest attached to it?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIt does not fall within my Department, but I do not think it would be practical to send communications to all the relatives, but the public are informed by the answer what to do, and if any further information can be given we shall be only too pleased to give it.
§ Mr. STANTONSurely the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the fact that the men who died out there were necessary for you to win for this country, and are you going to forget them now? Why do you not answer. I will put another question on the subject.