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Apologies:
The Chairman reports an apology for absence from Professor O'Neill.
Welcome
The Chairman welcomes Mr Dennis Wallis, Assistant Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Mrs Primrose Sharma, Counsellor (Political) at the Indian High Commission.
Honours
The Chairman congratulates Sir John Kerr on his recent appointment as Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Lancashire.
Appointment to South African Agency
The Chairman reports the appointment with effect from 1 December 1995 of Mr Ulrich Ruch as a member of the South African Agency.
Deaths
The Chairman reports the death in service of Mr Bertrand Deneuville.
Minutes of the 602nd Meeting of the Commision
The Chairman states that the minutes of the 602nd Meeting of the Commission have been circulated and agreed.
Matters Arising from the 602nd Meeting of the Commission
The Repatriation of the remains of Corporal Sukanaivalu VC
Mr Kennedy reports that the Fijian Ambassador to London had informed him that the Fijian government intended to combine the re-entombment of Corporal Sukanaivalu with the construction of a national war memorial.
Pakistan's Membership of the Commission
Mr Kennedy reports that the FCO had approached the British High Commissioner in Islamabad but had little success. Mr Frith states he thinks a letter from the Canadian government had been sent but that no reply had been received. Other members agreed that they will not be pursuing the matter further.
Staging a Meeting of the Commission in the United Kingdom in 1996
The Chairman states that a meeting will be staged in the United Kingdom next 11th and 12th of June 1996.
Progress of Operations and Forcast of Outturn 1995-96
Mr Dalley states that the proposed purchasing of a new premises in Rome would have to be pushed back until 1996-97. Mr Dalley states that problems had recently been encountered in importing stores and materials into Pakistan and Bangladesh where longstanding agreements had previoulsy worked well.
Corporate Plan 1996-2001
Mr Dalley summerises the main points of the Corporate Plan 1996-2001.
Mr Kennedy discusses the current situation with Zehrensdorf Indian Cemetery, and that the German authorities have been asked to clear the land of toxic waste and ammunition after the retreat of Soviet forces.
Mr Paker discusses the new pay and grading system for UK based staff, and that this new system would act as an oppertunity to review current arrangements.
Mr Kennedy states that a review of Agency Services had yet to be completed, and that it amounted to 7% of the Commission's costs.
Estimate of Expenditure 1996-97
Mr Noakes states that the estimate for 1996-97 was £360,152 less than the approved estimate, and that this was due to staff savigs at Head Office. The Sterling has, however, continued to fall in value against the major European currencies.
Annual Report Distribution
Mr Gee states that the annual reports were issued with a covering letter from the Director-General, press release, or compliments slip.
Alternative Commemorations
The Commission approves the alternative commemoration of a casualty in Shepley (St Paul) Churchyard.
Diary
The Chairman reports that Dr Blewett has recently visited the Commission's offices and sites in France and Belgium.
The Chairman thanks Dame Janet Fookes and General Sir John Akehurst for representing the Commission at Remembrancetide ceremonies.
Sir Harold Walker reports that he recently visited Syria and found the war cemeteries at Damascus and Aleppo were of contrasting condition.
The Chairman reports that on a recent visit to Canada he met with the Hon David Collenette, Minister for National Defence and Vetrans Affairs.
Mr Kennedy states that on a recent tour of the Far East he had the oppertunity to sttend Remembrance ceremonies at Rangoon and Taukkyan War Cemeteries in Myanmar.
Other Business
Remembrancetide broadcast by the Commission's Chairman
The Chairman states that the British Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Michael Portillo had featured in the broadcast concerning the Commission's work during the BBC's coverage of the Service of Remembrance from the Centoaph.
Cleanliness of headstones
Sir John Akehurst states that on a recent visit to sites in France and Belgium he had noticed algae on the upper sections of headstones. He states that from 1996 a new product which included zinc boron would be employed.
Film show in Newcastle
Lord Ridley thanks Mr Sean Cassidy for the talk that he had given in conjunction with a showing of the new Commission film to Volunteer Reserve Forces in Newcastle.
The Chairman wishes all a Happy Christmas season.
Mr Kennedy states that, after a further review of the senior staff structure, he has decided that one of the two Deputy Director General posts could be dropped. Mr Penfold will therefore be given early retirement benefits and would leave the Commission's service in June 1996.
Attendees:
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 Mr Royce Frith QC (High Commissioner for Canada)
Dame Janet Fookes DBE MP
Sir Nigel Mobbs DL
The Viscount Ridley KG GCVO TD
Mrs Llin Golding MP
Sir Harold Walker K.C.M.G.
Admiral Sir John Kerr G.C.B.
Sir Moray Stewart KCB (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom)
Miss Dinah Nichols CM (Representing the Secretary of State for the Environment in the United Kingdom)
Brigadier Rakesh Dhir (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Mr David Goss (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Mr Bruce Knoefel (Representing the High Commissioner for South Africa)
Mr David Kennedy (Director-General)
Advisers
Professor Sir Peter Shepheard CBE BArch PPRIBA MRTPI PPILA
Professor Sir Ghillean Prance MA DPhil FRS FLS
Also in attendance:
Mr Dennis Wallis (Assistant Deputy Minister Vetrans Affais Canada)
Mrs Primrose Sharma (Counsellor (Political) Indian High Commission)
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)
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