Remembrance Day

Dr. Murrison
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans exist to amend guidelines on the participation of serving members of the armed forces in acts of remembrance at the Cenotaph.

Derek Twigg
There are no guidelines regarding the participation of serving members of the armed forces in acts of remembrance specifically at the Cenotaph. The Army's Headquarters London District and the Royal British Legion are represented at meetings chaired by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to discuss detailed arrangements for the Remembrance Sunday service and march-past at the Cenotaph, including armed forces participation.

The general guidance in Queen’s Regulations with respect to the Day of National Remembrance is that

“Establishments and units are to conform generally to such arrangements as may be made by local authorities for the celebration of Remembrance Day services.”

Dr. Murrison
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Royal British Legion on the participation of senior members of the armed forces in acts of remembrance.

Derek Twigg
The Secretary of State has not had recent discussions with the Royal British Legion on this question.

Throughout the year, senior members of the armed forces participate in commemorative events, across the world, some of which may involve discussions between the Department and the Royal British Legion about support, including armed forces participation; this includes for example the recent event to mark the dedication of the armed forces memorial at Alrewas in Staffordshire.

Each November, when the nation remembers the sacrifices of all those who served in HM armed forces and died in the service of their country, senior members of the armed forces are present at services of remembrance.

The Army's Headquarters London District also takes part in meetings chaired by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, at which the Royal British Legion are represented, to discuss detailed arrangements for the Remembrance Sunday service and march-past at the Cenotaph, including armed forces participation.

Dr. Murrison
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons soldiers recuperating at Headley Court were denied permission to take part in acts of remembrance on 11 November 2007.

Derek Twigg
Responsibility for the organisation of the ceremony at the Cenotaph rests with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and, for participation in the march-past, with the Royal British Legion (TRBL).

In the week before Remembrance Sunday, DCMS received an approach from TRBL, via the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court, for up to six wounded service personnel and carers to view the ceremony at the Cenotaph. DCMS and TRBL made provision accordingly within a designated disabled viewing area outside the Treasury building; ushers were on hand to provide assistance if required and a disabled toilet was located nearby. On the day, two patients from Headley Court attended the Cenotaph service.

So far as I can establish, neither DCMS nor the Ministry of Defence was consulted about excluding applications from injured service personnel to attend the ceremony or to participate in the march-past.