Written question asked by George Osborne (Conservative) on Tuesday, 8 February 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 March 2005. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 March 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many bodies of British victims of the tsunami have been (a) identified and (b) repatriated. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many bodies of British victims of the tsunami have been (a) identified and (b) repatriated. [216224] Mr. Mullin: As at 16.00 on 23 February, we have confirmed that 65 British nationals died in the tsunami. Of those, 35 have been repatriated to the UK. The discrepancy is explained by the fact that some bodies await repatriation, others were either buried or cremated locally, and some were resident in third countries, to where they have been repatriated.

Secondary information