David Amess – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

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) has given in each of the last 10 years and (b) plans to give in the next three years to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to (i) mark and (ii) maintain the graves of those who died during the World Wars; 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.