§ 98. Mr. McENTEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the area of land in France used as a burial ground for British soldiers; what is the nature of the control over such land by the British Government; under what terms is the land held; and what rent or other payment, if any, is made by the British Government to the French Government for such land?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSI regret that I am not yet in a position to estimate 1921 the total extent of the very numerous areas in question, many of which have not yet been delimited. The French Government have passed special legislation dedicating these areas as perpetual war cemeteries, and full control over them for that purpose is exercised, on behalf of the British and Dominion Governments, by the Imperial War Graves Commission, who are duly recognised by the French Government. By the generosity of that Government, no rent or other charge is payable in respect of the land.