§ 36. Mr. Symondsasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is now able to announce what the permanent arrangements are to be for the care of British civil and military cemeteries in India and Pakistan.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)No, Sir. Permanent arrangements for the care of British civil and military cemeteries in India and Pakistan are still under discussion with the ecclesiastical and other authorities concerned. I hope, however, that I shall shortly be able to make the statement which my hon. Friend desires.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked a similar Question over a year ago and got practically the same answer?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI did tell the hon. and gallant Member what arrangements we were making in the interim period. I have been consulting a number of eminent authorities, and I think it wiser to make the right decision a little later than the wrong decision too quickly.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyDid the right hon. Gentleman take the opportunity of discussing this matter with the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India when they were over here recently?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNo, Sir, I am afraid I cannot say that I did, but our High Commissioners have discussed it with them on a number of occasions.