§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans are being made to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day in June 2004; who will lead the national commemoration; and what support will be given to the Normandy Veterans' Association. [HL 1680]
§ Lord BachA full programme of commemorative events in Normandy is being devised by a new committee, Normandie Memoire 60ième Anniversaire, on which the United Kingdom is represented by our Military Attaché in Paris. The commemoration will centre on ceremonies in various towns on 5 June and an international day on 6 June. Full details will be announced when the programme has been developed further. It is not yet known who will lead the British representation at the commemoration. It is customary for a service band to be provided for D-Day commemorations in Normandy. The Ministry of Defence arranged for the Normandy Veterans' Association to be represented at the opening meeting of the new committee, will continue to consult the association as planning continues, and is co-ordinating details of veterans' groups intending to travel to France for the commemorations.