MR. GORSTasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been directed to the dilapidated condition of the statue of Queen Anne opposite St. Paul's Cathedral; and, who is responsible for keeping that statue in a proper state of repair
LORD HENRY LENNOXSir, my attention and that of my Predecessor has been called to the dilapidated condition of Queen Anne's statue, which is placed opposite the Western façade of St. Paul's Cathedral. It has been computed that the sum necessary for its complete restoration would amount to about £500 or £600, besides a small sum for its annual maintenance. I may inform my hon. Friend that the early history of this statue appears to be enveloped in some mystery. No one knows who placed Her Majesty in her present position. No one appears to know whether Her Majesty has ever been repaired since she was placed there; and, worse than all, no one has yet been found with sufficient loyalty to claim the ownership of Her Majesty. I may add that as the statue is not within the area of the Metropolitan Police District, I fear I have no statutory power to take Her Majesty under my charge.