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The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with which countries his Department has (a) held discussions and (b) plans to hold discussions on (i) joint events and (ii) a UK presence at overseas events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War; when any such discussions (A) took place and (B) are due to take place; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focusing in more detail across Government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. I expect an announcement to be made later in the year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will provide funding to refurbish war graves and war memorials (a) in the UK and (b) overseas as part of the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focusing in more detail across Government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. I expect an announcement to be made later in the year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department gave to the Memorials Grant Scheme in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant

DCMS has given the amounts set out from the Memorial Grant Scheme in each of the last 10 years:

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department (a) spent in each of the last 10 years and (b) plans to spend in each of the next three years on maintaining national memorials; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant

DCMS has spent the following amounts in each of the last 10 years maintaining national memorials:

The DCMS-run Memorial Grant Scheme has a budget of £543,000 for this financial year. Grants are available to charities and faith groups, and can be used to repair and maintain war memorials. The Government has today announced that it will give the War Memorials Trust up to £3 million over the First World War centenary period to boost the funds available to local communities for the repair and conservation of war memorials. English Heritage, Imperial War Museums and Civic Voice will together be given £1.5 million over the same period to deliver better protection through Listing, a greater pool of specialist skills, a national register of war memorials, and a network of trained volunteers.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much his Department (a) spent in each of the last 10 years and (b) plans to spend in each of the next three years on maintaining war graves; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

As the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War approaches, it is right that we acknowledge the important work undertaken by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to commemorate those who gave their lives during both World Wars.

The CWGC receives financial contributions from its member nations based on the number of graves it maintains on behalf of each nation. Accordingly the UK Government contributes 78.43% to the total CWGC funding.

Financial records are retained for seven years. Information held by the Ministry of Defence indicates that over the last seven financial years the UK Government has made the following payments to CWGC for the maintenance of graves of those who died during the First and Second World Wars. The figures include UK VAT:

2007-08 – £34,799,000
2008-09 – £35,153,000
2009-10 – £46,545,000
2010-11 – £43,341,000
2011-12 – £46,288,000
2012-13 – £44,636,487
2013-14 – £47,318,041

With regard to future funding, the UK will continue to meet its obligation to pay the appropriate percentage (currently 78.43%) of the total CWGC funding.

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is discussing with the CWGC the scope for enhancing information and interpretation at burial sites as part of the centenary commemorations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to apply a motif on all his Department’s commemorative items and events associated with the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focusing in more detail across Government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. I expect an announcement to be made later in the year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many officials in his Department are engaged (a) full-time and (b) part-time in preparations to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focusing in more detail across Government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. I expect an announcement to be made later in the year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by David Amess on 2014-06-24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much funding has been allocated for commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry

Following the very successful commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day we will now be focusing in more detail across Government on how the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2015 might be marked in an appropriate manner. I expect an announcement to be made later in the year.