§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the maintenance of non-world war I and world war II war graves overseas in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [15235]
§ Dr. MooniePrecise figures are not available before financial year 1997–98; however it is estimated that £150,000 per annum was spent. A payment is also made to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) who maintain a number of non-world war graves on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The figures are set out in the table.
666W
£000 Financial year Actual spend CWGC payment 1992–93 1150 431 1993–94 1150 471 1994–95 1150 579 1995–96 1150 533 1996–97 1150 536 1997–98 1150 513 1998–99 152 578 1999–2000 116 600 2000–01 302 557 2001–02 2— 627 1 Estimated 2 Not available
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department has made to the South African Heritage Resources Agency for the maintenance of British war graves in each of the last 10 years. [15233]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence has contributed the following amounts to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), formerly the National Monuments Council, over the last 10 years:
Year £ 1992 3,100 1993 10,000 1994 10,000 1995 10,000 1996 10,000 1997 10,000 1998 10,000 1999 15,000 2000 15,000 2001 15,000
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his annual departmental budget is for the maintenance of non-world war I and world war II war graves overseas. [15236]
§ Dr. MoonieIt is estimated that in financial year 2001–02 £627,000 will be paid to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) for the maintenance of overseas non-world war Graves (NWG) which the CWGC maintain on our behalf. A further £185,000 will be spent on the maintenance of NWG in countries where the UK formerly had garrisons, and which are maintained under the auspices of the Defence Attaches, either through contracts or local organisations.
§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for the maintenance of British war graves overseas of servicemen who perished in conflicts other than world wars I and II; and if he will make a statement. [15237]
§ Dr. MoonieThe term overseas non-world war graves (NWG) includes those who have died from normal causes or accidents, and who were buried overseas. It also includes dependants in countries where there are existing garrisons (Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Germany etc.). Non-war graves are maintained by property managers who are under the control of the local commander. In Korea, 885 British NWG are maintained by the UN commission to which we make an annual contribution. In South Africa there are 20,000 graves in 340 sites and these are maintained by the South African Heritage Resources Agency. In Malaysia and Hong Kong there are 3,694 graves in 20 sites maintained by local firms under contracts managed by the local Defence Adviser and Vice Consul respectively. In 11 other countries there are a total of 852 graves which are maintained through a variety of agreements with ex patriots, Christian churches or local communities, for which we pay basic costs. All these are managed through Defence Attachés.