Construction of the UK’s National Memorial to the Holocaust moved
a step closer yesterday as the Holocaust Memorial Bill passed an
important milestone in Parliament.
A detailed scrutiny process by parliamentary examiners lasting
almost 3 months has confirmed that the Bill should be treated as
‘hybrid’, allowing those who believe they will be affected by the
provisions of the Bill the opportunity to put their views to
parliament as the Bill is considered. The decision of the
parliamentary Examiners resolves uncertainty and brings closer
the opportunity for MPs from all sides of the House to express
their support for the Memorial.
The Holocaust Memorial Bill seeks to update Victorian legislation
and progress the building of a new Memorial and learning centre
in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster.
Located next to the Houses of Parliament, the memorial will serve
as a powerful reminder to the whole of society of the Holocaust,
its victims and where prejudice can lead if unchallenged.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
said:
The Holocaust is history’s most appalling example of cruelty,
injustice and intolerance: the systematic attempt by a modern
state to eliminate the whole Jewish people. It is
profoundly important that we remember the facts of the Holocaust
and all it’s victims and that we seek to understand the lessons
it teaches Britain today.
We are privileged in this country to have among us many survivors
of the Holocaust who have been willing to share their
testimony. Sadly, this living testimony will not be with us
forever. It is essential that we create this Memorial, at
the very heart of our national life, to preserve the memory of
what happened for ourselves and for all future generations.
The Government is absolutely determined to complete the Holocaust
Memorial. I am pleased that the Examiners have now reached their
view on classification of the Bill so that it can now proceed
through parliament. I know that a great many MPs from all
sides of the House are very eager to express their support and to
get the Memorial built.
Welcoming the progress of the Bill, UK Holocaust Memorial
Foundation Advisory Board, Co-Chairs, The Rt Hon and said:
Today’s decision by the examiners marks a vital step forward in
delivering on our promise to build the Holocaust Memorial and
Learning Centre next to the Houses of Parliament in Victoria
Tower Gardens. We are hugely heartened by the Government’s
determination to legislate, with cross-party support, to make
this possible With the Prime Minister and the Leader of the
Opposition, we are convinced that there is no better place to
demonstrate our commitment to remembering and learning from the
Holocaust than at the heart of our democracy. We look forward to
the Bill receiving Royal Assent so that we can then get on and
build.
Holocaust survivor, Manfred Goldberg BEM said:
I was 84 when Prime Minister first promised us survivors a
national Holocaust Memorial in close proximity to the Houses of
Parliament. Last month I celebrated my 93rd Birthday and I pray
to be able to attend the opening of this important project.
Chief Executive of the Holocaust Education Trust, Karen Pollock
CBE said:
Following today’s announcement, we hope that this important Bill
will pass through Parliament in time for the Memorial to be
completed in time for survivors to see.
