HC Deb 30 May 1951 vol 488 cc217-8
46. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Defence what would be the cost to public funds of providing free transport for widows and parents to attend the burial of members of the three Services killed while on European service in time of peace.

Mr. Strachey

It would cost about £18 to provide free transport for two relatives to attend the funeral of a member of the Forces who dies in Germany or Austria; rather more for certain other parts of Europe.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In view of the relatively trifling amount involved, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the answer given by his right hon. Friend the other day and make a concession on these lines?

Mr. Strachey

Of course, everybody in the House will feel great sympathy with the suggestion, but it is an inter-Service matter which could not be done for one Service alone. I think I should have to leave the matter of principle to the Minister of Defence.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

On a point of order. The Question was put down, and appears on the Paper, to the Minister of Defence.

Mr. Strachey

In his absence—and the House knows the cause of his absence—I have given a factual reply. On the question of whether the concession could be made, if it were made it would have to be on an inter-Service basis; that is the only point I am making.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Arising out of that answer, does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the matter has not yet been considered on an inter-Service basis, notwithstanding the fact that the Question was placed on the Order Paper to the Minister of Defence?

Mr. Strachey

Of course, the matter can be considered on an inter-Service basis—[HON. MEMBERS: "Has it been considered?"] The Question has been answered. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The facts asked for in the Question have been given. I have said that if any concession or alteration of principle were made it would have to be made on an inter-Service basis, and I think that another Question would have to be put down to my right hon. Friend. All I can do today is to adhere to the previous answer to which the hon. Gentleman has referred, given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State.