COMMONWEALTH MEMORIAL GATES

Early day motion 164, tabled 17 July 2001 by Gwyneth Dunwoody (Labour). Signed by 53 members.

That this House congratulates the initiative of the noble Baroness Lady Flather, the Right honourable and noble Lord Weatherill and the noble Viscount Slim, with all party support, to erect Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill to recognise the enormous contributions and sacrifices made in both World Wars by the peoples of the Indian Sub-Continent, Africa and the Caribbean; notes that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, has graciously consented to lay the foundation stone of the Memorial Gates on 1st August; is concerned that the Commissioners of HM Customs and Excise propose to levy value added tax of upwards of ú250,000 on the construction costs of the gates and that this will delay considerably the completion of this proud symbol of our gratitude to these brave people; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to relieve the Memorial Gates Trust of this unjust burden.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Conservative 9, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 1.