76. Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War why bodies of war dead are being transferred from the English cemetery at Den Helder, Holland, and the adjacent area; whether relatives have been consulted; and whether bodies are similarly being removed from civilian consecrated burial grounds.
§ Mr. J. FreemanOf the graves found in the Den Helder area, some were in the cemetery and others scattered round the precincts. Amongst them were British graves, including those of R.A.F. crews, and also some German graves. In order to arrange re-burial of R.A.F. crews together, it was decided to concentrate all British graves to Bergen-op-Zoom, where re-burial has now been completed. It is not the normal practice to consult the next-of-kin when re-burial takes place, but they are notified as soon as reports are received from overseas. Those buried in civilian consecrated cemeteries in France and the Low Countries are not normally moved except in special circumstances.