HC Deb 06 April 1954 vol 526 cc183-4
38. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now make a statement on the circumstances in which the body of Trooper B. A. Brown was buried in Germany, without proper notification to his parents of the funeral arrangements; and why they were not given the opportunity of attending the funeral.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

My hon. Friend has already written to the hon. Member about this case. I would myself say how sorry I am that this failure occurred.

Mr. Driberg

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has seen the letter which I have sent in reply to his hon. Friend's letter to me? It makes one or two new points, I think. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in comparable circumstances, parents have ever been flown to their son's funeral? If so why it was not done in this case, in view of the error which has been admitted?

Mr. Head

I think that the letter explained the reasons for this error. The flying over of parents for funerals is not a thing which is done, and indeed, in this case it would have been too late to do it