HL Deb 30 June 1981 vol 422 c187WA
Baroness Airey of Abingdon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have received an application for a licence authorising the removal of the remains of the late General Sikorski; what decision they have reached; and if they will make a statement.

Lord Belstead

My right honourable friend has received an application for a licence to remove the remains of General Sikorski, with the suggestion that the removal should be linked with the anniversary of his death on 4th July. Under Section 25 of the Burial Act 1857, it is an offence, subject to exceptions, to remove any interred human remains without the licence of the Home Secretary and subject to such precautions as he may prescribe.

My right honourable friend has given full and careful consideration to all the issues involved in this case. He is unconvinced at the present time that the relevant criteria for meeting the application have yet been satisfied. He does not therefore propose to grant a licence to enable the remains of General Sikorski to be returned to Poland by 4th July. The applicant and the Polish Government are being informed of this.