HL Deb 06 April 1976 vol 369 cc1511-2

2.45 p.m.

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress is being made in restoring the cemeteries of our War Dead on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey since the devastation caused by forest fires in 1975.

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, the two disastrous forest fires, followed by the freak whirlwind, in the autumn of 1974, caused major damage to the planting in nine war cemeteries and lesser damage in others. Flowers within cemeteries were replanted last spring and the replacement of shrubs and trees was completed in the autumn and winter. A few stones in the surrounding ha-has, cracked by the heat, are being replaced.

Lord DAVIES of LEEK

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that careful reply, may I ask whether he is aware that my Question had behind it no ulterior motive but, that first and foremost, it was asked to thank Turkey for its co-operation and to thank the War Graves Commission for all the work that they do all over the world?—the horticulturalists, gardeners and dendrologists who keep these lovely and lonely places, which many of us have seen, serene and verdant. Is my noble friend aware that I should like this comment to be passed on to those people so that they may know that this House and the other place are aware of what they do?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I will certainly ensure that my noble friend's courteous and sensitive message is passed on to the right quarters.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the words of my noble friend Lord Davies of Leek will be deeply appreciated by staff at all levels of the Commission? Speaking as one of those who has been honoured to serve with the Commission, may I tell him that I know of no other organisation in the world with such a dedicated band of workers serving, as they do, people of the entire British Commonwealth?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

Yes, my Lords; and I will ensure that my noble friend's message is passed on to the workers in the cemeteries.