Monday 19th October 2020

(4 years ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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The noble Baroness raises important points, but I feel that they are for Parliament to decide rather than the department.

Lord Lexden Portrait Lord Lexden (Con)
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My Lords, I endorse the view that historical understanding is best assisted by the provision of full and unbiased information about those commemorated in statues, rather than by the removal or knocking down of these memorials. As regards Sir Robert Peel, who was mentioned by the noble Lord, Lord Wallace of Saltaire, should we not note that he was a life-long opponent of slavery and the slave trade and sent the British Navy to the coast of west Africa to help suppress it?

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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I am happy to note that and to note that all of us as human beings are complicated, and our history reflects that complexity.