§ 107. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what approach he has made or proposes to make to the Governments of India and Pakistan regarding the drawing-up of an agreement for the reasonable care and maintenance of British military and civilian cemeteries in India and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple (Brigadier Peto). Measures for the care and maintenance of British cemeteries are still under active consideration here and in India and Pakistan, where the United Kingdom High Commissioners are in consultation with the Government Departments and the ecclesiastical and other authorities concerned. The maintenance of War graves will remain the responsibility of the Imperial War Graves Commission. The United Kingdom Government are of course deeply concerned to ensure that graves for which they will be responsible are suitably maintained after 31st March.