§ Chris RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans the Government have to celebrate the 60th anniversary of D-Day; and if he will make a statement; [135516]
(2) what funding has been allocated by the Government for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of D-Day; [135519]
750W(3) what representations he has received from the (a) Normandy Veterans Association, (b) British Legion and (c) other bodies concerning the commemoration on the 60th anniversary of D-Day; [135520]
(4) how the Government will be represented at celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day in France. [135521]
§ Mr. CaplinDetails of the Government's position on the 60th anniversary of D-Day were outlined in my letter to all Members of the House of 7 July 2003 and updated in my reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 11 November,Official Report, columns 27–31WH. Further resources to those referred to as part of routine deployments may also be in attendance but it is too early to provide details at this stage. I announced on 17 September that arrangements had been made with P&O Ferries to offer subsidised tickets to veterans travelling to France in 2004. My hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Home Office (Beverley Hughes) announced on 4 June that one year free passports would be made available to eligible veterans travelling to France in 2004.
Since the beginning of 2002 MOD officials have had two meetings with representatives of the Normandy Veterans Association (NVA). The Department has received ten letters from hon. Members and five direct from members of the public relating to the NVA. The Department also received 36 letters from hon. Members as a result of a letter sent by The Royal British Legion (TRBL) in June of this year to all hon. Members. There have also been one written and two oral parliamentary questions in the House of Lords, eight written parliamentary questions in the House of Commons, 39 letters from hon. Members and 39 letters direct from members of the public which did not specifically represent the NVA or TRBL.
The Government intend to be properly represented at both ministerial and senior armed forces level at all major events next June and officials in the royal household will respond when the invitations have been received from the French Government.