§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether there is to be a public competition for the design of the contemplated statue to the late General Gordon, or a restricted competition amongst a carefully selected list of sculptors; or, on the other hand, whether the work is to be given by the Government to some one sculptor on its own responsibility?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET)The question of the best way of obtaining designs is still under consideration, and if the hon. Member will favour me with his views on the subject, I shall be very glad to confer with him. Whatever plan is ultimately adopted must, of course, be so entirely on the responsibility of the Government.
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would undertake that no definitive steps should be taken for the erection of the statue until the next Parliament had met?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONERI certainly will not give any such pledge.