HC Deb 01 November 1999 vol 337 c62W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to invite German, Italian and Japanese veterans to join the Remembrance Sunday parade in Whitehall. [96029]

Mr. Straw

There are no plans to widen the attendance at the Cenotaph ceremony on Remembrance Sunday to include German, Japanese and Italian veterans.

The Royal British Legion, which organises the march past the Cenotaph which follows the official ceremony on Remembrance Sunday, has however made proposals which will allow greater participation in future years by non ex-Service groups and individuals. I have welcomed the proposals for expansion of the march past put forward by the Royal British Legion, and my officials are discussing the details with them.