§ MR. H. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to a statue purporting to be of the late John Bright in the Central Lobby; and, whether it is to remain there?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sThe statue of Mr. Bright lately erected in the Central Lobby has been placed there, under an arrangement made with one of my predecessors, at the request of the Committee of the late Statesman's friends, at whose expense and under whose supervision this memorial has been raised to 1476 his memory. In the circumstances, I do not think that its removal is a question for me consider.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would agree to submit to the view of the House the question whether the statue should remain where it was or not?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASI certainly have heard varying opinions as to the artistic merits of the statue in question; but, while I am ready to consider the views of hon. Members, I am bound to say I am aware of no such unanimous opinion as would justify my serious consideration of a proposal for its removal.