HL Deb 27 October 1997 vol 582 c228WA
Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:.

What action they are taking, when war memorials are to be destroyed because redundant places of worship are to be demolished or redeveloped, to ensure that the names and particulars of those who died are preserved; and whether legislation is needed for this purpose.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Provision for the preservation or recording of memorials to the dead is contained in existing legislation concerning the development of disused burial grounds.

Under the Pastoral Measure 1983, if a disused Church of England church and churchyard is made the subject of a redundancy scheme, there is a requirement to give notice of the manner in which memorials are proposed to be disposed of and to offer relatives or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission the opportunity to make separate arrangements.

Where the memorials are removed, details, including a copy of the inscription and the date and manner of disposal, are to be lodged with the local council and copied to the Registrar General.