HC Deb 12 April 1978 vol 947 cc413-4W
Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for military cemeteries in Malta after the withdrawal of British forces from the island.

Dr. Gilbert

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has agreed to assume responsibility for both war and non-war graves in Malta at or before the date of the withdrawal in March 1979. It has requested that the cemeteries should first be put in the best possible order, which will require the clearance of a number of gravestones which have decayed and are beyond restoration. Where these memorials are less than 50 years old, the Ministry of Defence will make all possible efforts to notify surviving relatives to obtain their agreement to the removal.