HC Deb 07 December 1955 vol 547 cc75-6W
110. Mr. K. Thompson

asked the Minister of Defence what instructions are given to commanding officers in each of the Services about communicating to next-of-kin news of the sudden death in action, or otherwise, of Service men.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

In peace-time, the death of Naval personnel is notified direct

MARRIED QUARTERS IN GIBRALTAR
Available Applications Unsatisfied
R.N. Army R. A. F. R. N. Army R. A. F.
Officers … … 26 85 (i) 2 (ii) (iii) 8 28 22
Other Ranks … … 41 (iv) 274 (v) 78 (vi) 42 139 104
67 359 80 50 167 126
Notes:
(i) Approval has been given for the building of 3 further houses and 11 flats as officers' married quarters.
(ii) In addition to the two officers' quarters, 30 Warrant Officers' quarters are at present occupied by officers.
(iii) Two further married quarters and 30 flats are planned for R.A.F. officers to meet the unsatisfied applications and to re-house the officers at present living in Warrant Officers' quarters.
(iv) Site works have been started for 28 ratings' married quarters. A further 8 are being provided by conversion of existing buildings. These 36 quarters will be allocated between naval ratings and industrial civilians.
(v) Approval has been given for the building of 14 further flats as other ranks' married quarters,
(vi) Firm plans exist for 12 more airmen's flats. Further construction is contemplated but numbers cannot yet be accurately forecast.

to the next-of-kin by the ship or establishment. For the other two Services, next-of-kin are informed of the death of Service men in this country by officers commanding their units or establishments. In the case of Service men abroad, the deaths of Army officers are notified to next-of-kin by the War Office and those of other ranks by the appropriate Record Office. All deaths of R. A. F. personnel abroad are notified by the Air Ministry to next-of-kin. In war, all casualties are notified to next-of-kin by Service Departments for security reasons. The Service instructions lay down that the death of a Service man should be notified immediately by telegram to the next-of-kin and that names should not be disclosed to the Press until next-of-kin have been informed.