§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the arrangements for imparting information regarding casualties in the Falkland Islands to relatives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BlakerAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence Informed the House on 10 June 1982, we do everything we can to inform the next of kin as soon as possible, and wii:h all sympathy, following the death or injury of service personnel. This will remain our intention.—[Vol. 25, c. 399–405.]
§ Mr. Critchleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will institute an inquiry into the communication of information by the Ministry of Defence with regard to the Falkland Islands crisis.
§ Mr. NottI note that the House of Commons Defence Committee intends; to inquire into the handling of information during the Falkland Islands crisis. I see no reason for the Ministry of Defence to hold an inquiry of its own. Some lessons have been learned, on both sides, about the handling of media relations in such an emergency but the arrangements have achieved a reasonable balance between the overriding need to safeguard lives and the provision of as much information as possible to the general public.
§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it the practice of Her Majesty's Government to allow those kille;d on active service in the Falkland Islands, whether civilian or Service men, to be buried, or otherwise have their bodies disposed of, at the discretion of next of kin.
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§ Mr. BlakerI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. Robertson) by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 11 June.—[Vol. 25, c.168.]