§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to celebrate the bicentenary of the United Kingdom in 2001; and, if so, whether they will list the events to be undertaken. [HL2330]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonI refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave on 9 May 2000 to the noble Lord, Lord Laird (Official Report, col. 1364–1365). We have no plans formally to commemorate the 1801 Act of Union. We will consider any proposals put to us to mark the bicentennary, including whether it is appropriate to support them in any way.