§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with(a) the British Embassy in Paris, (b) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and (c) the French Government concerning the graves of soldiers killed at the Somme. [68611]
§ Dr. MoonieI have had no recent discussions with the British embassy in Paris, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission or the French Government about war graves in the Somme. However, the embassy is maintaining close contacts with the French authorities who are involved with proposals for a third airport for Paris. Early indications had suggested this project might affect war grave cemeteries maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the Chaulnes area of the Somme.
The Ministry of Defence has had no further discussions on this subject since the new French Government made clear that it would be looking again, from first principles, at the need for a third airport in the Paris basin. We are monitoring this review process very closely; we do not expect an early conclusion to be reached.