Great War: Centenary Commemoration

Debate between Lord Astor of Hever and Lord Dykes

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Astor of Hever]

My Lords, the centenary of the beginning of the First World War is still three years away. As I said earlier, we are in discussions with other departments, the most likely of which is the DCMS. I assure the noble Lord that we in the Ministry of Defence take this matter very seriously.

[Lord Dykes]

My Lords—

[Lord Campbell of Alloway]

My Lords, having had to take part in that war, may I suggest that the last thing we should celebrate is its commencement? We should celebrate only those who in the end, with the help of the United States, got us out of it. Commencement is no great celebration—not for me.

[Lord Astor of Hever]

My Lords, I take my noble friend’s point. The main celebrations will be on the centenary of the end of the First World War, which was 1918.

[Lord Dykes]

My Lords—

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that it is particularly appropriate that my noble friend should have raised this Question on the day that we are debating the European Union? Does he also agree that we should recognise the part that the EU has played in ensuring peace and stability on our Continent since the end of the Second World War?