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

Lord Pickles Excerpts

Tuesday 11th September 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Goldie]

With characteristic ingenuity the noble Lord manages to engineer a question that perhaps does not relate entirely to the question on the Order Paper, but he makes an important point. The Government are acutely conscious of the need to ensure that we have the capability to meet future challenges. That is what the strategic defence review has been about and is certainly what the modernising defence programme is about.

[Lord Pickles (Con)]

My Lords, 2019 will also see the start of the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War. Will my noble friend consider extending the scheme that has commemorated the award of the Victoria Cross in the First World War with paving stones outside the houses of those to whom it was awarded? It has been an extremely successful scheme, and is a reminder that out of ordinary streets came extraordinary people.

[Baroness Goldie]

I concur in every aspect of my noble friend’s sentiment, and I will make sure that these important suggestions are taken back to the department.