Lord Campbell of Croyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will extend the time of the scheme enabling the widows of British servicemen killed in action in war to visit their husbands' graves abroad, on the basis of assisting them to make at least one visit during their lifetime. [HL1766]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)Since 1985, The Royal British Legion has, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, operated the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme, which provides financial assistance to any Service widow whose husband died and was buried overseas between 1914 and 1967, to make one visit to the grave. Although the scheme has been extended several times since its inception, current funding was due to end on 31 March 1999.
As announced by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence in the House of Commons on Tuesday 5 May, following a recent approach by The Royal British Legion, the Government have agreed to an extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme for a further two years, until 31 March 2001. The Government greatly appreciate the work of The Royal British Legion, who administer the scheme on our behalf. To date, this subsidised scheme has enabled over 3,000 widows to visit their husband's grave overseas. It is hoped that the continuation of the scheme will enable other eligible widows to do so.
The Government intend to conduct an automatic review every two years; as long as there are war widows eligible to visit their husband's grave, this Government will continue to renew the scheme.