| Content Note | Topics covered:
Opening Address
The Chairman says how pleased he is to be able to chair a meeting of the Commission for the first time.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Lord Ridley, Sir Peter Shepheard and Professor Prance.
Welcome
The Chairman welcomes Colonel Adamson who is attending a meeting for the first time.
Minutes of the 599th Meeting of the Commission
The minutes are agreed.
Matters Arising from the 599th Meeting of the Commission
Pakistan's Membership of the Commission
Mr Kennedy says that he has written to the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary in Islamabad asking them to consider Pakistan's membership of the Commission.
VE and VJ Day Celebrations
Mr Kennedy states that schoolchildren will be laying flowers on war graves and that all overseas diplomatic missions have been asked to arrange with their Commonwealth colleagues ceremonies in commemoration of VE or VJ Day. Mr Stewart states that the VE events in London would be centred in Hyde Park on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of May.
Commission Film
Mr Gee states that the Commission's new film is nearing completion and the launch will be on 10 July.
Iraq
Mr Kennedy states that horticulture has been neglected in Basra and Amara, ans that as it was difficult to remit funds to Iraq no gardeners were employed there.
Progress of Operations and Forcast of Outturn 1994-95
Mr Dalley states that poor weather has hindered the general maintenance programme. Mr Noakes states that the Imperial War Graves Endowment Fund produces 3% of the Commission's annual funding, and that there is a potential loss of income of £165,000. Mr Kennedy states that the Commission had obtained favourable rates with the purchase of main European currencies.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme - Additional Voluntary Contributions
Mr Parker reports that members of the scheme can pay additional voluntary contributions to enhance their benefits.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme - Admission of Part-Time Staff Who Work Less than 15 Hours Per Week
Mr Parker states that recent European Court of Justice rulings have resulted in the Civil Service removing this retriction. He advises that the Commission do the same.
Alternative Commemorations
Mr Penfold states that the number of burials being proposed for alternative commemoration was large due to issues with Cradley Heath (St Luke) Churchyard and Dalziel (Globe) Cemetery. The Commission approves the alternative commemoration of 36 burials.
Annual Report of Exhumation and Reinternment 1994
Mr Kennedy states that he approved a small number of exhumations throughout the year.
Diary
The Chairman draws the Commission's attention to the visit of the Princess of Wales to Yokohama Cemetery and the visit of the Australian Prime Minister Mr Paul Keating to Kranji War Cemetery.
Sir Joseph Gilbert recalls his recent visit to South Africa and Sir Harold Walker reports on his visit to Nicosia War Cemetery.
Other Business
Departure of Brigadier-General Dean
Tha Chairman thanks Brigadier-General Dean for representing the Canadian High Commissioner on many occassions since December 1991.
June Meeting
Mr Kennedy reports that this year's June meeting will be held in Ieper.
Employment of Staff from Member Countries
Mr Kennedy confirmed to Mr Collinge that it has been agreed that as senior posts become vacant, High Commissioner should be contacted to seek advice on how to advertise these posts. Mr Kennedy states that he hoped to notify member governments at least six months in advance of a vacancy.
Commissioners' Business
Dame Janet Fookes proposes the length of tenure for the current Vice-Chairman Sir Joseph Gilbert be extended for another two years. The Commission agrees that his appointment should be extended until 31 March 1998.
Dame Janet Fookes questions the title of Vice Chairman, and agreement is made for the Commissioners to make any suggestions they may have.
Attendees:
The RT Hon Malcolm Rifkind QC MP. (Chairman of the Commission) in the chair
Air Chief Marshal Sir Joseph Gilbert KCB CBE (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
His Excellency Mr John Collinge (High Commissioner for New Zealand)
His Excellency The Hon Dr Neal Blewett (High Commissioner for Australia)
Dame Janet Fookes DBE MP
Sir Nigel Mobbs DL
Professor Robert J O'Neill AO
Mrs Llin Golding MP
Sir Harold Walker K.C.M.G.
General Sir John Akehurst K.C.M.G.
Admiral Sir John Kerr G.C.B.
Mr Moray Stewart CB (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom)
Miss Dinah Nichols (Representing the Secretary of State for the Environment in the United Kingdom)
Brigadier-General Darrell M Dean (Representing the High Commissioner for Canada)
Colonel Tej Brar (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Mr Henry Short (Representing the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa)
Colonel George Adamson (Air Force Advisor Designate, Canadian High Commission)
Commandor Timothy Laurence RN (Private Secretary to the RT Hon Malcolm Rifkind QC MP)
Mr David Kennedy (Director-General)
Also in attendance:
Mr Terrence Penfold (Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Administration)
Mr Roger Dalley (Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Operations)
Mr Graham Reddie (Legal Adviser and Solicitor)
Mr David Parker (Director of Personnel)
Mr Alan Coombe (Director of Works)
Mr Philip Noakes (Director of Finance)
Mr Jeremy Gee (Director of Information and Secretariat)
Mr Derek Parker (Director of Horticulture)
Mr Andrew Owen (Secretariat/External Relations Officer) |