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Apologies for absence were reported from the South African Ambassador
Welcome to Mr David Parker and Mr David Parker
Honours
Her Magesty the Queen has appointed Mr John Saynor a Companion of the Order of St Michaeland St George, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Gingell a Knight Commandor of the Royal Victorian Order. Mr Gerard Vasseur, Works Foreman, France Area and Mr Harry Langley, Head Gardener, Hamburg Mobile Group, have both recieved honorary awards of the British Empire Medal. Major-General S Nambiar has been appointed Commander of the United Nations Force in Croatia.
Deaths
The Chairman reports the deaths of Mr Alf Clarke, Monsieur Michel Portiglia and Mr Marc Clements
Minutes of the 587th Meeting of the Commission and Matters Arising From The Minutes
Circulation of minutes
Office Accommodation in Rome
The Secretary reports that the Commission's officials would continue to presue clearing legal problems relating to the current property, and that he has taken the decision not to proceed with the planned purchase of the proposed property.
Remembrance Day Broadcast
The Secretary reports that, after communicating with the BBC, it has been agreed that a special broadcast would be broadcast on the next Remembrance Day
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme (1952) Amendment of Trust Deed
The Commision agrees that the Trust Deed should be modified to make clear that money must not be invested in or lent to the Commission, or used as collateral for loans.
The 75th Anniversary of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Secretary states that HRH The Duke of Kent would be the only member of the Royal Family in attendance. The PM will also not be able to attend. The first draft of the Order of Service has been sent out to all members.
Approx. 80 members of the Commission's staff would be travelling from various other countries.
Discussions concerning the Order of Service, and if the Commonwealth could perhaps be more included.
Woodgrange Park Cemetery
Mr Reddie states that the House of Lords Select Committee considering the Bill had decided it would not be in the public interest to override existing legislation.
Forcast of Outturn 1991-92
The Commission took note
Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees: Appointment of Members
The Commission approved three appointments and took note of four others.
Execution of Documents
The Commission took note of the execution of documents on its behalf
Burials and Commemorations
Unmaintanable graves in the United Kingdom - Alternative Commemmoration
Mr Reddie explains that each case is carefully considered, and it was a very rare occurance for alternative commemoration of a war casualty to be sited within the fabric of a church building
Annual Report of Exhumations and Reinterments, 1991
The Commission took note
Tours by Commissioners and Head Office Senior Officials
Mr Concannon speak of his visit to The Gambia and that Fajara War Cemetery was in good order. Lord Ridley speaks of his visit to Singapore. Sir Peter Shepeard discusses his visit to Bristol (Greenbank) and Bristol (Arno's Vale) Cemeteries. Whilst the former was well maintained, the latter was neglected.
Diary
The Chairman reports of several visits by members of the Royal family to Commission's sites.
Other business
Mr Gee speaks of the recent media coverage relating to the discovery of human remins at Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Dame Janet Fookes and Mr Concannon request a brief statement on the subject, as they had been approached by their local press.
ATTENDEES:
General Sir Robert Ford GCB CBE (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
His Excellency Mr Fredrik S Eaton OC (High Commissioner for Canada)
The RT Hon J D Concannon
Dame Janet Fookes DBE MP
Sir Derek Day KCMG
Sir Nigel Mobbs DL
Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt GCB LVO
Air Chief Marshal Sir Joseph Gilbert KCB CBE
The Viscount Ridley AO
Professor R J O'Neill AO
Mr J M Stewart (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom)
Mr K J McMahon (Representing the High Commissioner for Australia)
Mr R. G. S. Johnson (Representing the Secretary of State for the Environment in the United Kingdom)
Brigadier B S Malik AVSM (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Commodore J G Leonard RNZN (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand0
ADVISERS
Professor Sir Peter Shepeard CBE BArch PPRIBA MRTPI PPILA, Honorary Artistic Advisor
Professor G T Prance MA DPhil FLS, Honorary Botanical Advisor
SECRETARY:
Mr J. Saynor JP, Director-General
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr N B Osborne OBE FRICS, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Operations)
Mr T F Penfold, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Administration)
Mr G.C. Reddie, Legal Adviser and Solicitor
Mr D R Parker, Director of Personnel
Mr R D Wilson ACMA, Director of Finance
Mr J.P.D. Gee, Director of Information and Secretariat
Mr D C Parker, Director of Horticulture
Miss E Kennedy, Secretariat |