War Graves

HC Deb 09 March 2004 vol 418 c1408W

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow old war graves to be relocated; and if he will make a statement. [157317]

Mr. Caplin

Only in exceptional circumstances, where the long-term security of a war grave is at risk and all other measures to ensure non-disturbance have been exhausted, will the Commonwealth War Graves Commission apply to the Home Office for an exhumation order. Once granted, the grave is transferred to the nearest Commission maintained war grave plot or cemetery.

This position is confirmed in the recent Government Consultation Paper on Burial Law and Policy in the 21^st Century which clearly stated that war graves constitute a particular class of grave which, at least in municipal cemeteries enjoy special protection by virtue of certain powers and exceptions granted to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is not proposed that war cemeteries, or individual war graves, should be subject to a re-use regime.