D-day and the Battle of Arnhem: 75th Anniversaries

Debate between Lord Black of Brentwood and Baroness Goldie

Tuesday 11th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Black of Brentwood (Con)]

I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and draw attention to the fact that I am a trustee of the Imperial War Museum.

[Baroness Goldie (Con)]

My Lords, the D-day landings and the Normandy campaign are a crucial part of our history, and the Ministry of Defence will mark the 75th anniversary both at home and abroad. The MoD is working with partners to commemorate this significant occasion in a wholly fitting manner, with veterans at the forefront of the planning. The Ministry of Defence will also be supporting events for Arnhem, for which plans continue to be developed.

[Lord Black of Brentwood]

I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Nineteen forty-four was the turning point of the Second World War, and the exceptionally brave troops who landed on D-day and took part in Operation Market Garden, alongside those who fought at Cassino, were absolutely crucial to the liberation of Europe. My noble friend will be aware that the 75th anniversary of these great battles next year is, sadly, likely to be the last significant anniversary when we are lucky enough to have veterans of those campaigns among us. Does she agree that it is therefore essential that their voices and needs are central to the commemorations, and can she give us a progress report on plans for the British Normandy Memorial, which will record for all time the names of the 22,000 service personnel who gave their lives in the Battle of Normandy so that we might be free?

[Baroness Goldie]

I thank my noble friend, who makes a very important point. The Ministry of Defence is of course mindful of the views of not only veterans but the wider service community as a whole and will remain so for the forthcoming commemorations. On the matter of the memorial, I thank and pay tribute to the noble Lords, Lord Ricketts and Lord Dannatt, who support the Normandy Memorial Trust. The trust has submitted all the many complex details required by the French planners, who are mindful of the sensitivities of a development on this exceptional site. That process, including a public inquiry, is expected to take the remainder of this year.