§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change arrangements which enable war widows to visit the graves of their husbands overseas; and if he will make a statement. [32064]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 31 January 2002]: Since 1985, the Government have operated the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme to help those War Widows who lost their husbands overseas between 1914 and 1967 to make one visit to their husband's grave, provided they have not done so before, at public expense. It is administered on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by The Royal British Legion and the MOD contributes seven-eighths of the costs of a visit. Over the past 17 years, this scheme has enabled over 4,000 widows to make this very special journey and there are no plans to change the arrangements.