§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War the numbers, ages and units of casualties among men of Scottish Highland Regiments now serving in Cyprus to the latest convenient date.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)Up to 17th July, two had been killed and 22 injured as a result of terrorist action and 13 killed and 11 injured in the forest fire of 17th June.
I will, with permission, circulate details of their ages in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HughesCan the Secretary of State say how many of them were sent home to Britain, where they are now, and what has become of those who were seriously injured? Are there any permanent disablements?
§ Mr. HeadI could not give particulars of the wounded without notice, but if the hon. and learned Member wants the information I will write to him.
§ Sir A. Gomme-DuncanCan my right hon. Friend say which Highland Regiments are not Scottish?
§ Following is the information:
| Killed | Injured | ||||
| Aged 28 | … | 1 | Aged 30 | … | 1 |
| 22 | … | 1 | 29 | … | 2 |
| 21 | … | 1 | 26 | … | 1 |
| 20 | … | 2 | 25 | … | 1 |
| 19 | … | 8 | 22 | … | 3 |
| 18 | … | 2 | 21 | … | 1 |
| 20 | … | 3 | |||
| Total | … | 15 | 19 | … | 19 |
| 18 | … | 2 | |||
| Total | … | 33 |
§ 3. Mr. R. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the distress caused to the relatives of British soldiers who have lost their lives in Cyprus, he will consider the establishment of funds so as to bring transportation costs, from Cyprus, within the resources of the relatives concerned; and if he will further consider the establishment of mobile embalmment arrangements or, alternatively, mobile cremation facilities, so as to enable the next of kin of deceased soldiers to have the remains repatriated for burial in this country if so requested.
§ Mr. HeadAny such arrangements would in fairness have to apply to all overseas commands. Whilst I have full sympathy with the relatives, I am convinced, for reasons which have frequently been gone into in great detail in the House, that there are very strong objections to departing from our present policy.