Oral Answers to Questions — Military Cemeteries

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 July 1951.

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Photo of General Sir George Jeffreys General Sir George Jeffreys , Petersfield 12:00, 31 July 1951

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information to give the House regarding the maintenance and general condition of British military cemeteries on the Continent of Europe and in Africa; what is the number of these cemeteries; and what proportion of the staffs in charge of them is British.

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee West

The maintenance of British Commonwealth war cemeteries in all countries is the responsibility of the Imperial War Graves Commission. The Commission publish an annual report, with illustrations, from which the general high standard of maintenance can be judged. Each year twenty copies of the report are placed in the Library of the House. In Europe and Africa there are 2,480 British Commonwealth war cemeteries. This figure includes the larger war grave plots in civil cemeteries. The Commission employ 1,680 persons in Europe and Africa, of whom 1,055 are nationals of Commonwealth countries.

Photo of General Sir George Jeffreys General Sir George Jeffreys , Petersfield

Will the right hon. Gentleman amplify that information? Is there, in every case, at least one Briton in charge of every cemetery?

Photo of Mr Evelyn Strachey Mr Evelyn Strachey , Dundee West

I cannot, without notice, say whether that is so universally, but I have very great confidence in the Commission and in their maintenance of these cemeteries.