HC Deb 23 February 1956 vol 549 cc66-7W
Mrs. Butler

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, since it is the practice of his Department to allow relatives to bring the bodies of deceased National Service men home for burial from most overseas stations, he will, by grant or otherwise, reduce the cost of £460–£500 for this purpose which is at present charged to relatives of National Service men killed in Malaya.

Mr. F. Maclean

As I informed the hon. Lady in my letter of 7th February, it has for many years been the customer the Services for those who are killed or die abroad to be buried where they die. In war-time no exceptions are made to that rule. In peace-time relatives may have a body brought home for burial from most overseas stations if they are willing to meet the expense themselves. I regret that public funds can meet no part of the considerable cost involved. Relatives and their agents are, however, given every other assistance possible and considerable concessions are granted by both British Railways and British European Airways.