HC Deb 13 August 1919 vol 119 cc1289-90
59. Mr. HAILWOOD

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government have yet decided to erect a permanent memorial to the fallen in the War; and, if so, what form is it going to take and where is it going to be erected?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The only memorial which the Government have as yet decided to erect is the reproduction in permanent material of the cenotaph in Whitehall on its present site.

Mr. SUGDEN

Will some representation of a Christian character be placed on the proposed monument?

91. Lieut-Colonel RAW

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will consider the advisability of erecting the permanent memorial to "Our Glorious Dead" on a site in Parliament Square on account of the danger to the public in having such a memorial in a crowded and busy thoroughfare?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir A. Mond)

As the Government have already decided to reproduce the cenotaph in permanent material on the same site, the answer to this question is in the negative; but I may add that the question of public safety has already been considered in conjunction with the Commissioner of Police, and no danger to the public is anticipated. The Westminster City Council have, I understand, also agreed not to oppose the Government decision.

95. Major BIRCHALL

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in the event of the cenotaph becoming the model of a permanent memorial, steps will be taken to secure that a Christian inscription shall find a place thereon?

Sir A. MOND

The Government propose to reproduce the existing temporary cenotaph in all respects in permanent form, but if the hon. Member has any suggestion to make with regard to the inscription it will, of course, receive careful consideration.

Mr. J. F. GREEN

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be a great pity, seeing the large number of Mussulmans, Indians, and Jewish soldiers who have lost their lives as well as Christian soldiers, that regard should not be had to that fact?

Sir A. MOND

No doubt that question will be considered.

Major JAMESON

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the subject of the pronoun "our"? It is a small matter but worthy of consideration.

Sir A. MOND

I will be glad to consider every suggestion, of which I receive a great many every day.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the fact that war has nothing whatever to do with Christianity?