Magna Carta

Baroness Benjamin Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

Not at all. I have long considered the noble Lord a master of the pettifogging legal point, but his question gives me the opportunity to put on the record, for noble Lords who want to get involved in the build-up to the Magna Carta celebrations, that my honourable friend Eleanor Laing in the other place is chairing an All-Party Magna Carta Group. I am sure that it would benefit from membership from this House.

[Baroness Benjamin]

My Lords—

[Lord Howarth of Newport]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Benjamin]

Thank you, my Lords. A favourite expression often used by British citizens is, “It’s a free country”. Thankfully, so it is, but many are not aware that our freedoms are the greatest legacy of the Magna Carta. What are the Government doing to ensure that children and young people use and appreciate this precious gift of freedom with respect and responsibility? Perhaps they could do so by establishing an annual Magna Carta day to raise awareness and celebrating on the underused Parliament Square, as suggested by the Hansard Society.

[Lord McNally]

Again, I am delighted by the enthusiasm with which the House is approaching this and I shall feed that idea back to Sir Robert.