HC Deb 22 January 1957 vol 563 c16W
101. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of recent precedents in Cyprus, he will now agree to bringing home without charge the body of any British Service man dying in Germany or other home posting or in Cyprus, whose next of kin desire it.

Mr. Hare

Lack of local facilities has for some months precluded the bringing home of the bodies of Service men from Cyprus even at private expense. The bodies of men who died in the recent operations at Port Said were brought home because of the risk that their graves might be desecrated. It remains our long-standing policy that soldiers who die abroad should normally be buried where they die. For reasons that have frequently been given in the House, I am satisfied that there are strong objections to any change such as that proposed by the hon. Member.

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