HM Treasury News Release
186/98 11 November 1998
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PROGRESS ON PROPOSALS TO COMMEMORATE
THE LIFE AND WORK OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Committee met today to
consider progress on the four proposals set out in its
preliminary advice to HM Government, published on 24 June.
Commenting on the progress made, Chancellor Gordon Brown said:
"I am delighted to outline progress on the proposals for
community children's nursing teams, awards to celebrate the
achievements of young people, a memorial in Kensington
Gardens and the commemorative coin.
" The Department of Health has today invited bids from
local health authorities for teams for the first phase of
this scheme. As this service expands across the UK, it
will become a permanent memorial to Diana, Princess of
Wales's own care and compassion for children and their
families especially in times of sickness. The Department
of Health will make a detailed announcement shortly.
"The Memorial Committee was impressed with the detailed
proposals developed by the Department of Health. We feel
that, by providing hands on care and practical and
emotional support, community children's nursing teams will
provide significant additional support to the care already
available from the NHS and the voluntary bodies who have
led the way in this area of care.
"Good progress has also been made on the Diana, Princess of
Wales Memorial Award for young people at secondary school.
The DfEE has received tenders from a large number of
organisations to run the Central Awards Office which will
administer the scheme. The bids are being analysed and a
further announcement will be made in due course.
"The Memorial Committee have considered the results of a
preliminary consultation exercise held locally on the
early, outline proposals for Kensington Gardens. Having
listened to local people, the Memorial Committee recommend
that these proposals should be significantly improved.
"The Memorial Committee propose that a memorial walk
through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St
James's Park should be established to celebrate the life of
Diana, Princess of Wales. This would be one of the most
magnificent urban parkland walks in the world passing many
points of interest, with spectacular views across the
Serpentine, St James's Park Lake and across the Round Pond
towards Kensington Palace.
"In recognition of Diana, Princess of Wales's love of
children and in particular the disabled, the Memorial
Committee have recommended that this memorial walk be
complemented by improvements to the children's playground
to the North of Kensington Palace. This would create an
area where disabled and able-bodied children could play
together, dedicated to Diana, Princess of Wales. The
Department for Culture, Media and Sport will also consider
how designs developed for the playground in Kensington
Gardens might be used as a blueprint for children's play
facilities around the country.
"It is also intended that necessary repair work in the Dial
Walk area South of Kensington Palace should be implemented.
This will help accommodate the extra numbers who, surveys
confirm, continue to visit that area.
"The Royal Parks Agency will be asked to take these
proposals forward. And they will do so in close
consultation with the local authorities and local
residents' groups.
"The commemorative coin will be released for general
circulation on 1 July 1999, the anniversary of the birthday
of Diana, Princess of Wales. Collector versions will be
available from early next year. The proceeds from the sale
of the commemorative coin will go towards the memorials
recommended by the Memorial Committee and the ongoing costs
will be met by the Government.
"On behalf of the Memorial Committee, I should like to
thank Frank Dobson, David Blunkett, Chris Smith and all the
agencies involved for the work which has been done to
develop all four proposals so promptly.
"The Memorial Committee feels that, together, these will
form a fitting, long-lasting national tribute to Diana,
Princess of Wales which will recognise her unique
contribution and the example that she set, particularly in
enriching the lives of children and encouraging them to
play the fullest possible part in the life of their
communities."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Membership of the Diana, Princess of Wales Committee was
announced on 3 December 1997 (HMT press release 152/97).
Its terms of reference are :
"To advise HM Government as to how the life of Diana,
Princess of Wales, can best be commemorated, complementing
the work of Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Fund. In
taking forward this work, the Committee will take into
account the views of members of the public, and have regard
to the charities and causes which the Princess supported."
2. Chaired by Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, the
members of the Memorial Committee are :
the Lord Chamberlain, Lord Camoys, representing the
Royal Household;
Lady Sarah McCorquodale, representing Earl Spencer
(who will also attend when he is in the country) and
the Spencer family;
Lord Attenborough
Mr Paul Burrell
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey;
Diane Louise Jordan;
Mr Anthony Julius;
The Hon Rosa Monckton;
Jane Tewson.
3. The Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Committee met first
on 12 January 1998 (HMT press release 3/98). It has met on
six subsequent occasions, including today.
4. Non-media enquiries on the Memorial Committee should be
addressed to :
Samantha Beckett
Secretary
Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Committee
HM Treasury
1 Parliament Street
London
SW1P 3AG
5. Media enquiries on the Memorial Committee should be
addressed to Charles Keseru, HM Treasury Press Office on
0171 270 5188.
6. Media copies of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial
Committee Preliminary Advice to HM Government issued on 24
June are available from the Treasury press office on 0171
270 5238.
7. If you have access to the Internet you can find this and
other press releases and the Diana, Princess of Wales
Memorial Committee Preliminary Advice to HM Government at
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.
# = pounds sterling