§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make it his policy to ensure that veterans of the International Brigades are invited to future Remembrance Day parades; and if he will make a statement. [140909]
§ Mr. LeslieMy Department is responsible for co-ordinating the organisation of the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. The parade, or march past the Cenotaph, which follows the official ceremony is organised by the Royal British Legion, to whom applications to participate should be made. The march past includes ex-Servicemen and women who have served under the direct command of British or Commonwealth Forces, the widows and widowers of ex-Servicemen and women, members of Transport for London—commemorating bus drivers who drove ambulances and troop transport in France in the First World War—and, since 1998, the Bevin Boys. From the 153W year 2000, the march past was extended to include 2,000 marchers from civilian associations connected with past conflicts.