§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether Her Majesty's Government have in contemplation any arrangement to supply the blank on the flat top of the Arch south of Hyde Park Corner caused by the deposition of the late Duke of Wellington; or, if not, whether they will restore the Duke?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER (Mr. PLUNKET) (Dublin University)The Government do not intend to propose any Estimate for supplying the blank on the top of the Arch south of Hyde Park Corner. The House will probably remember that a Committee was formed some time ago under the presidency of the Prince of Wales, and a considerable sum was subscribed in answer to the appeal which His Royal Highness, acting with great public spirit, had made for the purpose of ornamenting the vacant spaces created by the improvements at Hyde Park Corner. Under the direction of this Committee, the new statue of the Duke of Welling- 1211 ton by Mr. Boehm, with a handsome pedestal, will be placed opposite Apsley House in the course of the Autumn of this year; and the remainder of the money subscribed for the purpose will be applied to further beautifying the open spaces. But the funds at present at the disposal of His Royal Highness do not admit of his undertaking to place a suitable work of art on the summit of the Arch, involving probably an outlay of more than £20,000. As to the suggestion of the hon. Member that the old statue of the Duke should be restored, I am afraid it cannot be entertained; it stands at present at Aldershot on a very appropriate site. It cost over £3,000 to take it there, and I am not prepared to pay as much more for getting it back.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLI beg to give Notice that on an early day I will call attention to the distressing results that followed the rash removal of an old landmark dear to the inhabitants of London.