§ 4. Mr. Shurmerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the delay in the return to the next of kin of personal possessions of men killed in accidents, which causes distress to those concerned; and if he will take steps to hasten the return of these personal effects.
§ Mr. HeadLegal processes sometimes delay the release of effects, but I know of no general delay. If the hon. Member will let me know of any particular case, I will look into it.
§ Mr. ShurmerIs the Minister aware that I have recently had the case of a young soldier who was killed in a motor cycle accident within 50 miles of Birmingham and it took more than two months for the boy's effects to be returned, which opened up an old sore for his parents? I have known cases in the past in which it has taken four, five or six months for effects to be returned from abroad. Surely the right hon. Gentleman can hurry up the process of returning effects to parents and relatives, because it causes distress and grief if there are long delays.
§ Mr. HeadI will certainly look into a particular case. However, very often a soldier dies without a will and the next of kin is not automatically the recipient of his personal belongings. This sometimes entails delay.