§ 18. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements have been made with the Governments of India and Pakistan for the upkeep of British graves in those countries which are not cared for by the Imperial War Graves Commission.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe arrangements for the care of European cemeteries in India and Pakistan formerly maintained by the Government of India were described in detail in reply to a Question by Mr. Symonds, the then Member for Cambridge, on 15th March, 1949, but were later amended in one respect in reply to a Question by the Earl Winterton, the then Member for Horsham, on 12th April, 1951. Otherwise the original arrangements continue in force and I have nothing to add to these replies, of which I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonWhilst thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, and for the efforts which have been made by his Department, with the generous co-operation of the two other Commonwealth Governments, may I express the hope that all concerned will keep a keen interest in this matter so that as many graves as possible can be kept in decency and honour?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI am sure that all concerned will do their best to co-operate, but as my hon. Friend will see from the replies I have sent to him, this is a fairly large question. There were more than 1,350 cemeteries scattered over the Indian sub-continent.