§ Lord Tebbitasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the financing of major public monuments to the memory of those who participated in battles of historic importance to the United Kingdom. [HL5429]
§ Lord BachIt has been a long-standing policy of successive governments that the cost of erecting memorials and associated projects are not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. The Ministry of Defence does not have responsibility for either the funding or maintenance of war memorials. The MoD receives many requests from individuals, ex-servicemen's groups and charitable organisations seeking assistance with various projects. It would not be possible to be342WA seen to support one project rather than another. The vast majority have worthy goals and can make an equally compelling case for support. It would be divisive and open to criticism from unsuccessful applicants, if the Government were to pick and choose which projects to support.