Extract from Commons statement on Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Historical Inequalities Report - Apr 22
Friday, 23 April 2021 07:52
James Sunderland (Bracknell) (Con): I welcome the statement, and I
publicly thank the commission for its excellent work over many
years. I, too, have visited several sites. What challenges does the
Secretary of State see for sites located further afield? My sense
is that the sites in western Europe, the UK and the Falklands are
easily maintained and will be safe for the future, but are there
particular difficulties that may lie ahead for sites located in
Africa, across the far east and in...Request free trial
(Bracknell) (Con): I welcome the statement, and I
publicly thank the commission for its excellent work over many
years. I, too, have visited several sites. What challenges does the
Secretary of State see for sites located further afield? My sense
is that the sites in western Europe, the UK and the Falklands are easily maintained and
will be safe for the future, but are there particular difficulties
that may lie ahead for sites located in Africa, across the far east
and in more far-flung places?
The Secretary of State for Defence ( ): My hon.
Friend raises one of the key challenges in maintaining sites,
sometimes in places that have been quite hostile. One of the
strengths of how the modern-day Commonwealth War Graves Commission
does its job is that it uses local staff and engages locally.
Indeed, it is supported by the Department and the defence
diplomatic network in working with host Governments. I am, in a
sense, more optimistic, because I think this report will help open
the door further for commemorating, finding and maintaining some of
those sites. If we come along and say to the host countries, “Hands
up, this is what we could have done better. This is what we didn’t
do right,” we have a far greater chance of collectively being able
to commemorate those people and educate their populations and our
population about the contribution that was made.
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