§ 10. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now issue an 72 instruction that the next of kin of Service casualties should in future be notified personally by a representative of the Service concerned, or by the police, instead of by telegram; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ReynoldsNo, Sir. I appreciate the need for the utmost sympathy in these cases, but I feel that the present procedure is the most reliable. All three Services do provide for personal contact with the next of kin to advise on the funeral arrangements and to give what other help they can.
§ Mr. OnslowIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that experience suggests that the notification of next of kin by telegram causes considerable distress which might be alleviated if the message were conveyed in person rather than on paper?
§ Mr. ReynoldsIt is considered that notification by telegram is the least unsatisfactory method of doing it. It is reliable and prompt. However, all three Services make arrangements for personal calls as well.
§ Mr. LiptonWhile at the moment the number of casualties is mercifully small and perhaps different considerations would apply if there were full-scale operations in various parts of the world, would it not obviate a lot of unnecessary distress if personal contact were made at the earliest possible moment rather than notifying by telegram?
§ Mr. ReynoldsThat could be argued, but the matter has been looked at very carefully by all three Services during the last two or three years. With regard to the case which I assume caused this Question to be put down, I have looked at a full report of all that was done by the Regimental Headquarters of the Irish Guards, and I was pleased to see the terrific amount of consideration given to the timing and method of informing the unfortunate widow.