HL Deb 27 November 1997 vol 583 cc131-2WA
Lord Morris of Manchester

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What help they will give to relocate the Royal Naval Division's memorial, now situated at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, when the college closes in October 1998; and whether any Minister has met or will be meeting the Royal Naval Division's Memorial Committee to discuss the memorial's future.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)

It has been the long-standing policy of successive governments that the costs of memorials are met from public subscriptions or private donations, rather than public funds. While the Government have nothing but the utmost respect and gratitude for the men of the Royal Naval Division who fought and died in the service of their country, I regret that the Ministry of Defence cannot fund removal of the Division's memorial. Should a scheme to move the memorials be developed, funded from other sources, we would be delighted to assist in identifying an alternative site.

While there is no record of any meetings between the Memorial Committee and Ministers, Ministers have asked officials to keep them in touch with developments.