HC Deb 14 July 1884 vol 290 c921
MR. MONTAGUE GUEST

asked the First Commissioner of Works, If he is aware that the tapestry at Hampton Court of "The Triumph of Time" is part of a set representing the "Six Triumphs," written by Petrarch, of which three others were secured most fortunately last year by the South Kensington Museum; whether it would not be desirable that this very valuable and interesting national possession should no longer be allowed to hang, and rot with decay, on the walls of the withdrawing room of the Palace; and if he can give an assurance that it shall at once be cleaned and restored?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

, in reply, said, these tapestries were not the property of the nation, but of the Sovereign, and were under the charge of the Lord Chamberlain, who was considering the question of their repair.

MR. MONTAGUE GUEST

The right hon. Gentleman gave me a similar answer a year and a-half ago. I may inform him that, whether the question of the repair of these tapestries is under consideration or not, they are now hanging and rotting on the walls at Hampton Court to no public advantage.