The MP inquired about the specific examples of inequality highlighted by the report, such as those involving Indian, east African, west African, Egyptian, and Somali casualties. He asked for more details on how these cases will be rectified.

The MP asked for clarification on whether there would be further investigations into commemoration practices during the second world war and how the government plans to support the commission's work.

The Member thanked the Secretary of State and praised the work done by Professor Michèle Barrett, Channel 4, and David Olusoga in bringing attention to this issue. He highlighted that an estimated 116,000 casualties were not commemorated at all, and asked about the role of embassy staff and defence attachés in communicating with Commonwealth countries. The Member also sought information on when a consultation would be launched regarding citizenship fees for soldiers from these nations.

The Member endorsed the recommendations of the CWGC report based on his personal experience from Aden in 1955 where six Arab soldiers who gave their lives for Britain were not commemorated. He questioned how long the efforts to maintain graves from post-1900 conflicts can be sustained.

With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, may I congratulate the former MP for West Dunbartonshire, John McFall, a son of the Rock of Dumbarton, on his elevation to Speaker of the other place? While he knows that I am opposed to an unelected Chamber, he is a dedicated public servant, and I count him as a very good friend. I thank the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) for all the work that they have done and the Secretary of State for his words, which I am sure will start the process of healing for the descendants of those who gave so much for a state that did not seem to value that sacrifice at the time. As the grand-nephew of James Timlin of County Mayo, whose name is found on the war memorial of Tyne Cot, having fallen on 29 December 1918, let me acknowledge the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. That said, there is something of a grim irony in this report coming so close to one on racism, which we heard about just the other week. It makes me wonder about what the Secretary of State just said. I do not believe for a moment that he does not believe that there has been a great wrong committed here. I just wonder whether he can somehow address the distinct cognitive dissonance that all Opposition Members feel when they hear it said.

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?

This is most definitely a watershed moment in the life of this country. I put on record my thanks to Professor Michèle Barrett, David Olusoga and Channel 4 for their work on this documentary. I associate myself with the remarks of my right hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey), and I thank the Secretary of State for his words. For all of us in the Chamber—this is still the case in this country—when we think of the first world war, we think of the western front, the poems of Wilfred Owen and the battle of the Somme. We do not think of where the first bullets were fired in the first world war, which were, in fact, in Africa, in the east African campaign. On this sombre, but important, day, I am thinking of the King’s African Rifles and the many, many thousands of men who were dragged from their villages to be in the Carrier Corps on behalf of the then British Empire. There is no higher service than to die for your country in war, and it is the case that every single culture on the planet honours those who die in those circumstances. It is a great travesty and a stain and a shame that this country failed to do that for black and brown people across Africa, India and the middle east, but we have come to this very, very important moment, 100 years on, and I thank the Secretary of State for his leadership and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the work that it has done to get us to this point. May I just say to the Secretary of State that further resources will be necessary, particularly in those countries, to commemorate in the appropriate way. Necessary resources will also be needed to revisit the archives in those countries to find names where there are names, but to appropriately commemorate where those names do not exist. We use the word “whitewash” for a reason. Let there be no more whitewashing. The unremembered will be remembered and future generations of young people in our own country and the Commonwealth will understand their sacrifice.

May I thank the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) for raising this important issue and for campaigning so tirelessly to acknowledge the death of all soldiers who fought in the great war? I thank the Secretary of State for bringing this statement to the House today and for the humility and the acknowledgement of his work as a soldier that has made him realise that death is the great equaliser for us all. I thank him for remembering every soldier across the Commonwealth who gave their life during world war one. Will he join me now in paying tribute to those in our armed forces currently who are bravely serving across the world? Will he acknowledge their sacrifice and thank them for the work they do?

I have the honour of representing this place as a Commonwealth War Graves Commissioner, along with the right hon. Member for Ludlow (Philip Dunne). I thank the Defence Secretary for what he has said today, and commend the report of the special committee made up of external experts. Alongside the full and unconditional apology for the wrongs of the past, the commission has already agreed a detailed action plan to address all the special committee’s recommendations. May I ask the Defence Secretary whether there will be additional resources so that we can complete this work as quickly as possible?

I am pleased to be able to follow the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson). The War Graves Commission was established with the specific remit to commemorate the first world war dead of the then British empire and to do so defined by the principle of equality of treatment in death, whatever their rank, religion or race. This happened in Europe but not across Africa, the Middle East and India. I join my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in welcoming the report we commissioned based on detailed research through available archives. The commission has been working over the last 20 years to ensure that errors or omissions are corrected. My right hon. Friend has confirmed that he will hold the commission to account in delivering the detailed action plan addressing recommendations made by the special committee. Can the commission commit to doing what we can, where we can now to renew our commitment to equality in commemoration with all communities of the former British empire touched by both world wars?

The revelations set out in the report are unacceptable and it is important that service and sacrifice are properly commemorated for all. Today, a Commonwealth service leaver with a partner and two children will have to pay almost £10,000 to continue to live in the UK despite those years of service and sacrifice. Will the Government commit to waiving application fees for indefinite leave for all those members of the armed forces on discharge and their families?

This report’s findings make for very uncomfortable reading, but I pay tribute to the special committee, today’s commission for its response and the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) and all those he worked with in drawing a vital spotlight to this issue. This will sadly be impossible in too many cases, but does my right hon. Friend agree that where the commission can identify descendants of those who were named it should try to work with them on appropriately commemorating those who gave their lives in the service of this country?

I declare an interest as a former commissioner of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and current trustee of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) for his work on this issue and commend the Secretary of State for his statement today. The commission quite rightly in Europe commemorates all those, including those from India and across the Commonwealth, who died in the first world war. However, that does not take away from the fact that racist attitudes were taken to treat others in other parts of the world differently. Could he act as a catalyst to draw other Departments to work not just in this country but internationally, to ensure that this story is told and that future generations recognise our debt to these individuals?

I thank the Defence Secretary for his important and much-needed statement. Does he agree that the contribution made by soldiers from Commonwealth countries to our current armed forces is still extremely valuable today?

Underpinning all the past commemoration decisions were entrenched prejudices and racism of imperial attitudes. Why does the UK Government’s report on racism push back against calls to decolonise the curriculum, especially when local authorities like North Lanarkshire Council have taken a different stance? Does the Secretary of State agree that we should lead in anti-racist education?

The report makes for uncomfortable reading, but lessons must be learned. Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising Macey and Isabelle for cleaning up war memorials at Tunstall memorial gardens? Will he also celebrate the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s work maintaining 23,000 cemeteries across the world?

I am pleased that the commission has accepted the special committee’s recommendations. Will the Secretary of State commit to taking steps to protect and ring-fence any additional funding made available to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission specifically to implement these important recommendations?

The whole House would honour the heroism and sacrifice of all troops from both the UK and the wider Commonwealth. However, does he agree that it would be entirely wrong to drag brave African and Asian service personnel into today’s divisive culture wars?

Will he confirm that support will be progressed with utmost urgency and sensitivity, so all war dead are given respect, avoiding any delays that could entrench hurt and disrespect?

Will the Secretary of State outline what resources will be made available to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure that all our gracious war dead are commemorated equally and future generations can remember them?

Can he expand on how the Ministry of Defence will support the commission by way of funding and guidance to implement recommendations, ensuring this can be a continuous process?