§ 19. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for War what organisation now carries out the work of tracing missing British soldiers which, in the last war, was the duty of an inter-departmental committee under the Foreign Office; and to whom should relatives apply?
§ Sir E. GriggI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Denbigh on 19th December, 1941, in which full details of the organisation for tracing missing British soldiers were given. As regards the second part of the Question, there is no need for relatives to apply for inquiries to be set on foot. When a soldier is reported missing, a notification to his next-of-kin is sent out with a leaflet explaining the steps which are taken to trace missing personnel.
§ Sir A. KnoxIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that this organisation is functioning properly, as numbers of relatives have to wait for months and months without getting information? Would he also say what is the function of the Red Cross Society in this matter?
§ Sir E. GriggAll that is set out in the answer to the previous Question. The 1375 Red Cross, of course, carries a responsibility. I am quite satisfied that the organisation is doing all that can be done in this matter.
§ Sir A. KnoxWho is really responsible? Is it the Red Cross or a Department of the War Office?
§ Sir E. GriggThe War Office.
§ Sir A. KnoxWhy is the Red Cross meddling with it?