HC Deb 24 October 1944 vol 404 c39W
Sir G. Owen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that inconvenience, expense and distress are caused to families and relatives of deceased military personnel owing to the uncertainty of the times of arrival of the bodies at the arranged railway station; and if he will in future detail an escort to accompany the coffin to its destination.

Sir J. Grigg

I regret the inconvenience and distress which are caused by these delays, although I have in fact received very few complaints. In view of the shortage of men it would be difficult to provide escorts as a general rule, nor is it clear that their provision would in practice eliminate such delays as do occur from time to time.