HL Deb 21 April 2004 vol 660 cc286-7

2.54 p.m.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will issue an invitation to King Michael of Romania to the 60th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II in July 2005, in the light of the role which he played in bringing his country over to the allied side.

Baroness Crawley

My Lords, the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War will be commemorated on 10 July 2005, incorporating the anniversaries of the cessation of hostilities in Europe and the Far East. Planning is at an early stage, but it will be an occasion of reflection for all who were involved in the war. A broad spectrum of British and overseas guests will be invited to attend, including such eminent persons as His Majesty King Michael of Romania.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Baroness for giving the good news that at last there will be recognition of what King Michael has done. At the risk of pushing my luck, I wish to add that he did so well by us when he was 20, some 60 years ago; for instance, he managed to get all prisoners of war out of Romania. The Germans tried to hoist them back to Germany, but all that was stopped through King Michael. He was one of the few people who helped to destroy his own country—the oil wells—for the sake of the allies. I hope that the noble Baroness will confirm that I am right in saying that the United States, France and Russia, even at the special request of Stalin, all specially decorated him with honours. I am grateful to the Minister, but I hope that some solid honour, other than just being asked to have a drink of tea, wine or whatever, will be conferred.

Noble Lords

Hear, hear!

Baroness Crawley

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Mowbray, has every right to push his luck. So far as I am aware, no new medals or honours are being issued for World War II service; however, that does not mean that we do not recognise King Michael's very positive wartime role.

Baroness Billingham

My Lords, will the Normandy veterans be assisted with travel to France for the 60th anniversary celebration? I am sure that everyone would welcome such a move.

Baroness Crawley

My Lords, around 8,000 veterans will travel to Normandy this June. There will be several means of assisting veterans taking part in the D-day celebrations. For instance, free one-year passports will be available to veterans who do not hold a valid passport; there will be a 50 per cent reduction in P&O ferry costs for veterans groups; and the New Opportunities Fund, a lottery distributor, will put aside £7.8 million to assist veterans and their families to take part in the commemorative celebrations.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, is the Minster aware that no Wren or civilian working at Bletchley Park was given any form of honour? Recently, at the request of some of the few survivors, I was asked to write to the Prime Minister about the matter. In a reply signed by the Prime Minister, stating, as the Minister said, that it was too late, he also said that "Mr Turning"—the name was spelt wrongly—who in many ways was more responsible for winning the war two years earlier, was awarded an OBE. Big deal, my Lords

Baroness Crawley

My Lords, there will be no further honours or medals for service in the Second World War. Of course, code breakers and other organisations and individuals, who will be invited to the commemorative events on 10 July 2005, will be recognised through those invitations.

Lord Russell-Johnston

My Lords, reverting to the original Question, does the Minister agree that despite the good intentions of the noble Lord, Lord Mowbray, there is no evidence that Her Majesty's Government— either this one or the previous—do not other than recognise what King Michael did, both in 1944 and 1947? When he promoted Romania's entry into NATO in 1997, for example, he was received by the Queen. The Government will not forget that he defended democracy and it is worth recognising that.

Baroness Crawley

My Lords, as I said in my original Answer, we are well aware of the enormous contribution that King Michael made to the successful outcome of World War II.