Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will discuss with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission measures to safeguard overseas war graves from desecration by Islamist extremists.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission cares for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations, in 153 countries. It is therefore not practical to expect that all of these sites can be protected from those who, for whatever reason, might seek to damage the graves or memorials. However, in the event of such damage, the Commission will ensure that appropriate repairs are made as soon as is practicably possible.