Parliamentary examiners announce decision on Holocaust Memorial Bill

Both supporters and critics of the plan to build a national memorial and learning centre to the Holocaust in Westminster have welcomed the completion of the parliamentary scrutiny process into the government’s legislation.

In an announcement it was confirmed that after a three month review examiners had decided that Rishi Sunak’s Holocaust Memorial Bill, which was introduced to parliament in February, should be treated as “hybrid” – which means those who believe they will be affected by the provisions of the legislation now the opportunity to put their views to parliament.

Following last Thursday’s announcement Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: “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.” 

But Baroness Ruth Deech, who has argued against locating a memorial in Westminster, said the decision to treat the Bill as a hybrid one “is the latest defeat for the government in its wrong-headed pursuit of the plan to build a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens.”

She added:” When objectors, including many in the Jewish community, are finally given a voice, they will express grave doubts that the proposed scheme fulfils the educational objectives described in the Government’s report ‘Britain’s Promise to Remember’.”

The respected legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg also tweeted that the decision reached by parliament’s examiners “was not the result the government was hoping for.”

The official parliament website notes that before any hybrid bill receives its second reading “any member of the public has the opportunity to comment on the environmental statement.”

It adds:” If the bill doesn’t comply with the rules, it’s referred to the Standing Orders Committee, which decides whether the bill can proceed. “Often, the non-compliance will be on a minor, technical matter, which the Committee would not use as a reason to reject the bill.”

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. 

Planning consent for the Holocaust Memorial to be built in Victoria Tower Gardens, next to parliament was granted in July 2021, but the decision was quashed by the High Court in April 2022 due to historic legislation that requires the garden to be maintained as a garden open to the public.

After last week’s confirmation on the progress of the bill UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation Advisory Board, Co-Chairs, Lord Pickles and Ed Balls 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.” 

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.” 

But another objector to the project Lucy Peck of The Thorney Island Society said “We have consistently argued that Victoria Tower Gardens should not be built on, or under. The Government’s own planning policy should have completely ruled out construction. 

“The figures given by the government for the loss of public open space are highly misleading. The park would be turned from an informal recreational garden into a civic space”.

Plans for Westminster Memorial were first announced by then prime minister David Cameron. The project, estimated to be costing £109 million, has been backed by leaders from all parties including Boris Johnson, Theresa May, Tony Blair and Keir Starmer, along with Chief rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and the Board of Deputies.

Holocaust survivor, Manfred Goldberg BEM said last week: “I was 84 when Prime Minister David Cameron 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.”