asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that recently the Director of Accounts at the Air Ministry requested the payment of funeral expenses from the family of a Royal Air Force officer, killed by enemy action on his own aerodrome in this country, whereas funeral expenses, in the case of officers or men whose death results from aircraft accident at home or abroad, are payable by the State; and whether he will alter this anomaly under paragraph 3394 of the Regulations for the Royal Air Force, 1939 edition, and make redress in the particular case above referred to?

The funeral expenses of officers stationed in this country are admissible as a limited charge against public funds only when death results from an aircraft accident. I understand that in the case referred to by my hon. Friend the cost of the funeral was, in accordance with the Regulations, properly debited in the statement of account which is compiled in respect of the Service estate of a deceased officer. Liabilities on the account, including the cost of the funeral, exceeded the available assets and it was therefore necessary to make a request for payment to the officer's representatives. I am now looking into the question of whether the present rule should be modified, but it is a question which affects other Services, and I am afraid that I cannot to-day anticipate the decision.

Will the modification apply to other ranks?