Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the decision to hold one, two or three minutes' silence to commemorate victims of war or civil disaster is based on the number of victims; and, if so, what criteria influence the choice. [HL621]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)The decision to hold a one, two or three minutes' silence is not based on the number of victims.
In the case of recent silences a recommendation was received from the European Union Presidency asking EU member states to observe a silence at a specific time, date and for a specific period. To show solidarity with our EU partners the recommendation was endorsed by the Government.