Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYasked the Secretary of State for War if he will inquire into the delays which occur in supplying relatives of deceased soldiers with photographs of their graves; if he is aware that in certain cases relatives have been endeavouring for nearly two years to obtain photographs from the Director-General of Graves Registration; and if he will take steps to ensure a more speedy compliance with requests for photographs?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLConsiderable delay in supplying some of the photographs of graves in the various theatres of war is unavoidable. During the War many of the applications received referred to graves so near the front line that photography was out of the question, and from March, 1918, to the date of the Armistice, the work had to be practically suspended; and again after the Armistice nearly all the existing staff of photographers had to be demobilised, and for some time difficulty was experienced in replacing them. The work is being carried out as quickly as circumstances permit, and the total number of photographs supplied up to date for all theatres of war is 137,877, of which 253W 62,875 have been supplied since the Armistice. There are 31,632 requests still outstanding, and it is hoped that these will be completed during the next few months. If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars of any cases which have been outstanding for nearly two years, I will cause special inquiry to be made as to the reasons for the delay.