Written question asked by Andrew Turner (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 November 2003. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 November 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions (a) he and (b) other departments have had with the Government of Belgium to (i) preserve First World War battlefields which lie on the route of the A11 motorway and (ii) secure the appropriate treatment of British servicemen's remains.

Answer: Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he and (b) other Departments have had with the Government of Belgium to (i) preserve First World War battlefields which lie on the route of the A11 motorway and (ii) secure the appropriate treatment of British Servicemen's remains. [139030] Mr. Caplin: Neither the Ministry of Defence, nor the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, has had any discussions on this subject with the Belgian Government. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission continues to monitor the effects of the A19 extension scheme. We fully expect the Belgian Government to adhere to existing procedures for dealing with the remains of British Servicemen discovered during the course of the extension of the A19 motorway. This would entail the eventual interment of remains in a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Belgium.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 139030; 413 c766W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed conflict Construction Motorways World War I War graves Belgium
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk