Written question asked by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Brabazon of Tara (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 26 March 2012.

Houses of Parliament: Commemorative Plaques

Question: To ask the Chairman of Committees whether a brass commemorative plaque can be placed in Westminster Hall in recognition of the lying in state of the 48 passengers and crew of the R101 on 10 October 1930, as was anticipated at the time.

Answer: There have been eight known Lyings in State in Westminster Hall. A House of Commons Library note, setting out the details of these Lyings in State, can be found here: http://www.parliament.uk/docurnents/ commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-01735.pdf. The seven other Lyings in State have been commemorated with a brass plaque in Westminster Hall, but these have all marked the Lying in State of Royalty or former Prime Ministers. The Lying in State of the passengers and crew of the R101 was of a different nature, and the House does not have any records to indicate whether a plaque was originally planned, or why one was not installed. The installation of any such plaque would need to be agreed by the three keyholders for Westminster Hall (the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord Speaker and Mr Speaker) and I understand that they do not currently have any plans to do this.

Secondary information