§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will now allow the relatives of fallen soldiers to erect monuments of their own choosing over their graves 1077W abroad, subject to regulations as to dimensions and cost?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIf the Noble Lord's proposal is that relatives should erect such headstones at their own cost, it would mean that the freedom of choice which he desires would be confined to those alone who are able to afford it. This would be entirely at variance with the principle of equality of treatment which has met with such general acceptance. If, on the other hand, the proposal is that the stones should be erected at the cost of the Imperial War Graves Commission, then that body would certainly consider any practical scheme which the Noble Lord puts forward for meeting the technical difficulties in the way of such a proposal, which are referred to in the memorandum published to explain the headstones at present on exhibition in the Tea Room. When the Noble Lord looks into the matter, I fear, that, in view of the unprecedented magnitude of the task, he will, like the Commission, find these difficulties insuperable.