War Dead (Disposal) (Hansard, 25 November 1988)

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has carried out or commissioned research into the psychological difficulties likely to be experienced by those involved in mass burials in the event of war; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
There has not been any research into the psychological difficulties likely to be experienced by those involved in mass burials in the event of war. The effects upon those individuals suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following their experiences in all aspects of the Falklands campaign have been observed.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has carried out or commissioned research into disposal of the dead in the event of war; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Tri-Service policy on the disposal of bodies of service personnel killed in action overseas was reviewed in 1983, mainly as a result of the Falklands conflict.
It was agreed that bodies of service personnel killed in action should in the first instance, and in accordance with established practice, be buried locally. The question of later burial in military cemeteries close to the battle areas, or of repatriation of the bodies, will be decided after the cessation of hostilities.

§ Mr. Tony Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist in his Department for the provision of military assistance to local authorities for the disposal of the dead in the event of war.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
No troops are specifically allocated to undertake military aid to civil authorities. In the event of war, any requests by local authorities for the provision of military assistance to carry out tasks in the community would be considered in the light of the circumstances and availability of resources at the time.