§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance he is giving to South Atlantic veterans to visit the South Atlantic to mark the 20th anniversary of the recapture of the Falkland Islands. [51719]
§ Mr. IngramIt is not the Government's policy to provide assistance in the form of free or subsidised travel for veterans who wish to attend commemorative events overseas, and there is no provision in the Defence budget for such expenditure. The one exception is the war widows pilgrimage scheme operated on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Remembrance Travel, the pilgrimage department of the Royal British Legion, which enables widows of servicemen who died while serving overseas in or before 1967 to visit their husband's grave once at a reduced rate.
§ Jane GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the recapture of the Falkland Islands. [51718]
195W
§ Mr. IngramThe Falkland Islands authorities are planning a series of events later this year, culminating in a cathedral service in Stanley on Liberation Day, 14 June. The armed forces will take part in a tri-service parade with each of the services represented and the Royal Marines will provide a band. I will visit the Falkland Islands at this time and will attend the cathedral service on behalf of the armed forces.