Found: You may know Belize as the home of Lord Ashcroft, a long time supporter of the island and maybe the

Found: This is driven by a rise in the market value of medals on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, Churchill

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Victoria Cross and George Cross medal collection previously displayed in the "Extraordinary Heroes" exhibit remains accessible to the public following its removal from display at the Imperial War Museum.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Victoria and George Crosses tell stories of bravery and courage which form an important part of our national history. Thousands of visitors have appreciated The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which houses Lord Ashcroft’s personal collection of these medals along with others belonging to the Imperial War Museum and other private owners, has been well-loved since its creation in 2010. The Government is grateful to him for his generous loan.

The Government recognises the importance of these medals and their incredible significance to the recipients, their families and the wider public, and we share the ambition that these medals do continue to be available to the public. In particular, we hope that the medals can be exhibited alongside the stories behind them. The Minister of State at DCMS has engaged with both the Museum’s leadership and with Lord Ashcroft to continue to support efforts to try and find a new permanent home for his remarkable collection. The Imperial War Museum plans to redisplay their own collection of Victoria Cross and George Cross medals at their sites across the country, allowing new audiences to engage with these heroic stories.

While Government does not have any role in curatorial decisions at national museums, it is common practice for museums to update their galleries and displays periodically in order to make the most of the wide range of collection items they hold, and to explore new ways of communicating vital histories to the public.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Imperial War Museum’s decision to close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, and what impact this will have on the public, as well as on the recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross and their families.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Victoria and George Crosses tell stories of bravery and courage which form an important part of our national history. Thousands of visitors have appreciated The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which houses Lord Ashcroft’s personal collection of these medals along with others belonging to the Imperial War Museum and other private owners, has been well-loved since its creation in 2010. The Government is grateful to him for his generous loan.

The Government recognises the importance of these medals and their incredible significance to the recipients, their families and the wider public, and we share the ambition that these medals do continue to be available to the public. In particular, we hope that the medals can be exhibited alongside the stories behind them. The Minister of State at DCMS has engaged with both the Museum’s leadership and with Lord Ashcroft to continue to support efforts to try and find a new permanent home for his remarkable collection. The Imperial War Museum plans to redisplay their own collection of Victoria Cross and George Cross medals at their sites across the country, allowing new audiences to engage with these heroic stories.

While Government does not have any role in curatorial decisions at national museums, it is common practice for museums to update their galleries and displays periodically in order to make the most of the wide range of collection items they hold, and to explore new ways of communicating vital histories to the public.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason the Imperial War Museum has decided to close the exhibition of VC and GC medals in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery; and whether Ministers were consulted.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Victoria and George Crosses tell stories of bravery and courage which form an important part of our national history. The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which houses Lord Ashcroft’s personal collection of these medals along with others belonging to the Imperial War Museum and other private owners, has been well-loved since its creation in 2010.

I was informed of the decision to close the Gallery shortly before it was made public. Ministers were not consulted on the decision as national museums are operationally and curatorially independent from the Government. Since that announcement, I have spoken with both the Museum’s leadership and with Lord Ashcroft himself. I continue to support Lord Ashcroft to try and find a new permanent home for his remarkable collection.

The Museum has made the decision to use the space for a new gallery focusing on conflict since the Second World War. It is common practice for museums to update their galleries and displays periodically in order to make the most of the wide range of collection items they hold, and to explore new ways of communicating vital histories to the public.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when Ministers were informed by the Imperial War Museum of the closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Victoria and George Crosses tell stories of bravery and courage which form an important part of our national history. The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which houses Lord Ashcroft’s personal collection of these medals along with others belonging to the Imperial War Museum and other private owners, has been well-loved since its creation in 2010.

I was informed of the decision to close the Gallery shortly before it was made public. Ministers were not consulted on the decision as national museums are operationally and curatorially independent from the Government. Since that announcement, I have spoken with both the Museum’s leadership and with Lord Ashcroft himself. I continue to support Lord Ashcroft to try and find a new permanent home for his remarkable collection.

The Museum has made the decision to use the space for a new gallery focusing on conflict since the Second World War. It is common practice for museums to update their galleries and displays periodically in order to make the most of the wide range of collection items they hold, and to explore new ways of communicating vital histories to the public.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Imperial War Museum on its decision to close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Victoria and George Crosses tell stories of bravery and courage which form an important part of our national history. The Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which houses Lord Ashcroft’s personal collection of these medals along with others belonging to the Imperial War Museum and other private owners, has been well-loved since its creation in 2010.

I was informed of the decision to close the Gallery shortly before it was made public. Ministers were not consulted on the decision as national museums are operationally and curatorially independent from the Government. Since that announcement, I have spoken with both the Museum’s leadership and with Lord Ashcroft himself. I continue to support Lord Ashcroft to try and find a new permanent home for his remarkable collection.

The Museum has made the decision to use the space for a new gallery focusing on conflict since the Second World War. It is common practice for museums to update their galleries and displays periodically in order to make the most of the wide range of collection items they hold, and to explore new ways of communicating vital histories to the public.

Found: developments 2014: The Veterans’ Transition Review In 2014 the Veterans’ Transition Review, led by Lord Ashcroft

Found: 47% of the public opposed lowering the voting age while 28% supported it. 70 Separate polling by Lord Ashcroft

Found: purely a matter for each member country to decide.175 According to a 2023 poll conducted by Lord Ashcroft

Found: would better express “ core Briti sh political values ”.375 In a “Coronation Poll” conducted by Lord Ashcroft

Victoria Cross medals at the Imperial War Museum

Lord Ashcroft: My special report from the frontline in southern Ukraine https://t.co/0Jr8jrnkOo via @conhome

Found: Commission to Review the United Kingdom’s Reserve Forces (2011); The Veterans’ Transition Review by Lord Ashcroft

Found: scheduled cohorts): • Aberdeen Business School (Robert Gordon University) • Anglia Ruskin – Lord Ashcroft

Found: established in 2017 through a £2.5˜million investment to deliver upon a specific recommendation in Lord Ashcroft

Found: local party organisation or indirectly via a central party organisation Name of donor: The Rt Hon Lord Ashcroft

Found: Commission to Review the United Kingdom’s Reserve Forces (2011); The Veterans’ Transition Review by Lord Ashcroft

Found: established in 2017 through a £2.5˜million investment to deliver upon a specific recommendation in Lord Ashcroft