Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on making funding available for D-Day veterans to visit the Normandy beaches; and when such a scheme will commence.

The Chancellor announced in June that we would be using LIBOR fines to allow for the future return to Normandy of Veterans once the existing Big Lottery funding had ceased at the end of 2015.

Until now the Big Lottery scheme has imposed a 2 trip limit. The Chancellor has now instructed Officials to bring forward the introduction of the new ‘D-Day Return’ scheme to run in parallel in 2015, and in replacement beyond this date. This will provide free travel for any eligible veteran regardless of how many times he has been previously. Full details will be available shortly via the Royal British Legion website who will continue to deliver this on our behalf.