§ 21. Mr. Hargreavesasked the Secretary of State for War if means can be found to despatch promptly to their next-of-kin the personal effects of men killed in Korea.
§ Mr. HeadThe personal effects are sent back by the unit as soon as possible to Japan. From there, they are sent home and are normally delivered within two to four months of the date of death.
§ Mr. HargreavesIs the Minister aware that in the case which he evidently knows death occurred in September, 1950, and that after very many applications some of the effects were delivered to the parents more than two years later and that the complete effects still have not reached the parents? Would he please do his utmost to clear the channels and get these things sent home at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. HeadI have been into this case and I admit that it is a most unfortunate one. I ought to point out that the very long delay initially was due to this problem of identification, on which we must always be very careful, because any false identification might lead to difficulties in the future. Now that the identity has been cleared up every step is being taken to have the effects returned.
§ Mr. HargreavesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case, where the death occurred as a result of an unfortunate error on the part of an American bombing squadron, this soldier died in our hands in a casualty clearing station and there is no question here of identification? Is he aware that therefore he cannot explain the facts by that suggestion of a difficulty in identification?