To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2014,
Official Report, column 181W, on D-Day landings: anniversaries, how many (a) veterans,
(b) armed forces' widows, (c) armed forces' spouses and (d) carers his Department
expects will be in attendance for each of the 70th anniversary D-Day commemoration
events in the UK.
<p>The 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary D-Day commemorative events in Portsmouth are being
organised by Portsmouth City Council, and the military is supporting the event as
requested. Similarly, the Services are supporting events planned by the Normandy Veterans
Association (NVA). The Department is unable to predict the numbers who may be present
at any of these events and has received no requests to facilitate attendance.</p><p>
</p><p>The Ministry of Defence was made aware of Portsmouth City Council's planned
events in April 2013. We were informed about the majority of NVA events in February
2013, and the National Memorial Arboretum event in November 2013. We have been working
closely with the Royal British Legion and the NVA on the planned events to mark this
significant anniversary, and have ensured that a range of Service charities and associations
are kept informed, including COBSEO, the Confederation of Service Charities.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to
facilitate the attendance of (a) veterans, (b) armed forces' widows, (c) armed forces'
spouses and (d) carers to the 70th anniversary D-Day commemoration events at (i) Portsmouth
on 5 June 2014, (ii) London on 22 June 2014, (iii) York on 20 July 2014 and (iv) London
on 16 October 2014.
<p>The 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary D-Day commemorative events in Portsmouth are being
organised by Portsmouth City Council, and the military is supporting the event as
requested. Similarly, the Services are supporting events planned by the Normandy Veterans
Association (NVA). The Department is unable to predict the numbers who may be present
at any of these events and has received no requests to facilitate attendance.</p><p>
</p><p>The Ministry of Defence was made aware of Portsmouth City Council's planned
events in April 2013. We were informed about the majority of NVA events in February
2013, and the National Memorial Arboretum event in November 2013. We have been working
closely with the Royal British Legion and the NVA on the planned events to mark this
significant anniversary, and have ensured that a range of Service charities and associations
are kept informed, including COBSEO, the Confederation of Service Charities.</p>
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2014,
Official Report, column 181W, on D-Day Landings: anniversaries, with which service
and veterans' charities his Department has been liaising for each of the 70th anniversary
D-Day commemoration events in the UK.
<p>The 70<sup>th</sup> Anniversary D-Day commemorative events in Portsmouth are being
organised by Portsmouth City Council, and the military is supporting the event as
requested. Similarly, the Services are supporting events planned by the Normandy Veterans
Association (NVA). The Department is unable to predict the numbers who may be present
at any of these events and has received no requests to facilitate attendance.</p><p>
</p><p>The Ministry of Defence was made aware of Portsmouth City Council's planned
events in April 2013. We were informed about the majority of NVA events in February
2013, and the National Memorial Arboretum event in November 2013. We have been working
closely with the Royal British Legion and the NVA on the planned events to mark this
significant anniversary, and have ensured that a range of Service charities and associations
are kept informed, including COBSEO, the Confederation of Service Charities.</p>