§ 40. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for War why the bodies of soldiers who die abroad on service are not brought back to this country when the relatives are prepared to meet the cost.
§ Mr. BellengerI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on 23rd October, 1945, in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Major Legge-BourkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that since the 1715 war men have died overseas, and in many cases their relatives are anxious to pay to bring their bodies back? Will he not look into this matter again, because it is causing great discontent?
§ Mr. BellengerNo, Sir, I can hold out no hope that this matter will be reexamined. This policy has been followed not only by His Majesty's Government but by all the Governments in the Dominions since the first world war.