§ 35. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for War what provision he makes in regard to the headstones for the graves of soldiers killed on service.
§ Mr. H. FraserHeadstones are provided by the War Department unless the family of a deceased soldier decide to make private arrangements for his funeral.
§ Dr. JohnsonFurther to my supplementary question on Question No. 34, will my hon. Friend look into this matter because it is a point of particular grievance in this case that the parents had a natural desire to have their son buried at home and no assistance was given in this respect?
§ Mr. FraserAssistance is given, but I must make it clear that it is given in the form of a small Army grant to those who wish to have their deceased relatives buried at home rather than have a military funeral. Where there is a military funeral we undertake the whole cost. For a private funeral, we make a small grant of between £5 and £10. There is, of course, the other grant available from National Insurance of £25. It is impossible for the Service Departments to undertake to defray the expenses of all private funerals.