§ 42. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the provision of facilities for visits by relatives to war graves in Germany.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs I said in reply to the hon. Member on 4th November, difficulties of transport and accommodation preclude any arrangements being made at present. I am, however, keeping the matter under review.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman not say something more definite? Is he aware that two and a half years have elapsed since the end of the war in Europe, and surely it has been possible to make some arrangements for these very necessary facilities in that time?
§ Mr. ShinwellApart from the difficulties of transport, accommodation and currency, I am bound to say, from my experience and observation recently in Germany, that much of the work in the cemeteries is not yet completed. I should prefer to see rather a better state of completion before coming to any definite decision.
§ Mr. M. LindsayDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there are many cemeteries in France which are completed, and as it would be impossible to arrange for all the families to go at the same time, could not a start be made now in a small way?
§ Mr. ShinwellI should like to assist in this direction. I would not place any obstacle in the way, but there are physical difficulties which, at the moment, cannot be surmounted.