§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of the areas of open land in Greater London identified for possible use as mass burial sites in the event of war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 25 November 1988]: The location of graves would be a matter for local decision at the time having regard to a number of factors which are set out in the emergency planning guidance to local authorities issued by the Home Office.
Under the Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations, county councils and the London fire and civil defence authority are responsible for preparing plans for certain civil defence emergencies including providing "facilities for the disposal of human remains". The Home Office monitors the preparation and content of the plans. The "Emergency Planning Guidance to Local Authorities" issued by the Home Office contains the following paragraph headed "Disposal of Dead". Depending upon the immediate effect of the attack in their area, one of the priority tasks for districts or boroughs could be the burial or cremation of those killed. The 204W location of graves and the method of disposal would be a local decision at the time, having regard to the availability of peacetime facilities, the location of the bodies, the availability of suitable temporary sites and the importance of avoiding contamination of water supplies. Temporary sites used for cremation or interment could be closed as soon as other permanent burial facilities could be brought into use. Wherever possible the name, sex, approximate age, place found and place buried or cremated should be recorded and passed to the nearest information centre or the emergency centre.