Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Memorial Wall

Monday 14 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Covid-19 Memorial Wall is owned by St Thomas' Hospital
  • Minister encourages MPs to visit the memorial wall
  • Permanent status of the memorial wall is not yet decided by the hospital

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dawn Butler Lab Brent East
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the permanence of a memorial wall commemorating those who died during the pandemic. The wall, located near St Thomas' Hospital in London, has become an important symbol for bereaved families and visitors.

Question

If he will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure the permanency of the covid-19 memorial wall.

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. Like many MPs, I pass the memorial wall daily when I am in Parliament, and I am moved when I see family and friends either laying floral tributes or making an inscription on the wall to commemorate loved ones they have lost. The Department keenly understands that communities across the country will want to find ways to commemorate our collective experience. Therefore, it is critical that all those we have lost are commemorated and that families receive a fitting and permanent memorial. As the Prime Minister announced on 12 May, the Government will establish a UK commission on covid commemoration. We will set out the commission's membership and terms of reference in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The permanence of the specific wall at St Thomas' Hospital was not addressed directly.

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Q2 Dawn Butler Lab Brent East
NHS
Context

The MP is concerned about the permanence of a memorial wall and wants to ensure that MPs visit the site and engage with bereaved families. The wall has become an important symbol for those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.

Question

I thank the Minister for that thoughtful response. The covid memorial wall is an iconic, organic work of art created by bereaved families, and it should not be removed or painted over. I hope that the Minister agrees that it should be a permanent memorial and that MPs should visit. I met Fran, whose husband died three weeks after they were married. She lovingly drew 2,000 hearts, and I dedicated one of those hearts to my uncle Buck, who died. I am, however, disappointed that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has yet to visit. I hope that the Minister will encourage all MPs to visit like he has done, and ensure that the memorial wall is permanent and that MPs speak to bereaved families.

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I believe that the memorial wall is owned by St Thomas' Hospital. I am not sure what decision it has come to with regard to its permanency. However, as I said, having seen friends and family visiting, I would keenly encourage MPs from across the House to do that. We need to consider the most impactful and enduring way to remember those we have lost and to commemorate the service of everyone involved in this unprecedented response to the pandemic. As I say, the commission has been set up and we will report on its terms of reference and membership in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The ownership and permanence of the specific wall was not addressed directly.

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