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.

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.