Member

The amendments proposed by the noble Lord are plainly intended to prevent the current proposal proceeding, notwithstanding the wide support that it has attracted, which was especially evident at the planning inquiry. The amendments would in addition place a tight constraint on the scale and therefore the nature of any possible memorial to the victims of the Holocaust in this prominent location. If the aspiration is to make sure that a proposed memorial and learning centre is designed sensitively and takes account of its surroundings, then I point out forcefully that the planning system achieves this aim. The amendments are plainly unacceptable to the Government and inconsistent with the aim of Members of this House and of the other place to proceed quickly with the proposed memorial and learning centre. I therefore respectfully ask the noble Lord not to press Amendments 11 and 12.