§ MR. DAVENPORTasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware of the dilapidated condition of Queen Anne's statue in Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster; and whether, as the said statute appears to possess more artistic merit than is usually to be found in our public monuments of this nature, he will consider the propriety of removing it to some position where it will be seen to greater advantage.
LORD HENRY LENNOXI quite agree, Sir, with my hon. Friend that this statue of Queen Anne possesses more merit than the average of those which adorn our public places. In 1860 it was taken over by a distinguished Predecessor of mine, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Hants (Mr. Cowper-Temple); and it has been from time to time repaired by the Office of Works. But I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that the condition of the statue generally is not so dilapidated as he appears to think. It is true that at the present time Her Majesty is minus two fingers, as well as the upper part of 1956 the orb. This damage is not due to the effects of our climate, however, but to' the great pleasure which street boys appear to take in pelting this illustrious Lady with stones between school hours. I will see whether this mischief cannot be averted by instructions to the police to watch the statue during the hours when the boys are at play. Considering that the statue is a mural one, that its historical associations are with the neighbourhood in which it is placed, and that it would be difficult to find a more suitable place for its location, I fear I do not see my way to meeting the views of my hon. Friend as to the removal of the statue to another site.