Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

HC I: [Falkland Island Casualties (Burial)]

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: House of Commons
Source: Hansard HC [27/467-68]
Editorial comments: Around 1554-1556.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 415
Themes: Parliament, Defence (Falklands), Media
[column 467]

FALKLAND ISLANDS CASUALTIES (BURIAL)

Mr. George Robertson (Hamilton)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I have for written answer on the Order Paper today question No. 50 which asks whether the Prime Minister has yet made a decision about bringing back the bodies of Servicemen killed in the Falkland Islands. I would have expected a written answer to the question later this afternoon, but at 3.35 pm there was no answer on the board.

However, The Standard today has the front page headline:

“Our war dead to come home” .

It also says:

“Families can choose where burials take place—Maggie” .

The report states:

“The bodies of British servicemen killed in the Falklands war and buried on the islands will be brought home for reburial in all cases where this is the wish of the next of kin.”

However, I draw attention to the next sentence:

“Mrs. Thatcher was telling MPs of the decision this afternoon.”

Although I welcome the decision that the Prime Minister has apparently made, I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on whether Members of Parliament who table questions should obtain answers to them before the press gives the information to everyone else in Britain.

Mr. Speaker

First, the hon. Gentleman did not give me notice of his point of order. Secondly, I never comment on the contents of Ministers' replies——

Mr. Robertson

I have not had a reply.

Mr. Speaker

—although I gather that that is not the burden of the hon. Gentleman's complaint. I cannot comment as long as the question is on the Order Paper. If the information gets out elsewhere, I cannot comment on it.

The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am [column 468]distressed about what I read in the newspaper. Until a few moments ago, my worry was that I might have been asked that question orally, knowing full well that a written reply would be given. I had prepared exactly what I would say in those circumstances. It is remotely possible that the report is speculation, because letters arrive frequently at 10 Downing Street and at the Ministry of Defence. However, I am sorry that it has occurred, especially when we were meticulous not to reveal anything beforehand. I shall try to find out precisely what has happened.