HC Deb 13 May 1948 vol 450 cc246-7W
Mr. Law

asked the Secretary of State for War when the War Graves of South East Asia Command are to be taken over by the Imperial War Graves Commission.

Mr. Shinwell

Action has already been taken to begin handing over war cemeteries and graves in India, Pakistan and the Far East to the Imperial War Graves Commission and this has almost been completed in Hong Kong, India and Pakistan. As regards the remaining areas, as a result of a recent review of the position, it has been decided that the Army Graves Service should continue its work for the present. Moreover, it is hoped to be able to restart work in the Dutch East Indies, an area in which no work has been possible for some time. It is not likely, therefore, that all war cemeteries and graves in the Far East can be handed over to the Imperial War Graves Commission before the end of this year, though the process of handing them over will continue steadily during the whole period.