§ MR. F. W. MACLEAN (Oxford, Woodstock)asked the hon. Member for the Knutsford Division of Cheshire, Whether the Metropolitan Board of Works have arrived at any, and, if so, what, decision as to filling or otherwise making use of the vacant spaces at Piccadilly Circus; whether the architect of the Board has not suggested that such spaces might be advantageously decorated by pieces of statuary; whether the Board see any objection to such suggestion; and, whether the Board would afford facilities for pieces of statuary being placed on such spaces temporarily to give the public an opportunity of judging of the effect and desirability of their being so used?
§ MR. TATTON EGERTON (Cheshire, Knutsford)The Board has not yet 1684 arrived at any decision as to filling, or otherwise making use of, the vacant spaces at Piccadilly Circus. The Board's architect has not suggested that such spaces might be advantageously decorated by pieces of statuary; but his predecessor in office did make some such suggestion. The Board would probably have no objection to suitable pieces of statuary being erected, although the Board itself is not empowered to expend public money for this purpose. In reply to the Question whether the Board would afford facilities for placing pieces of statuary temporarily on the sites referred to, so that the public may have an opportunity of judging of them, I can only say that I feel sure that any request made to the Board for this purpose would receive due consideration.