§ Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the funeral expenses of officers who die on active service are defrayed by his Ministry; and whether it makes any difference if the officer dies in India and not in any of the other theatres of operations.
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir. Officers who die on active service in theatres outside India are provided with a Service funeral at public expense unless the relatives desire a private funeral, when a contribution is made towards the expenses from public funds. As regards the second part of the Question, the rules at present in force in India permit of a funeral at public expense only where death is due to enemy action or an aircraft accident. This is a matter for the Government of India, but I understand that the wider rules now applicable to R.A.F. officers in theatres outside India are shortly to be applied in India as well.