§ MR. PAULTON (Durham, Bishop Auckland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that in the process of decorating St. Paul's Cathedral with Byzantine mosaics, black lettering and stencilling in red paint, the original stonework has been cut away to make room for the mosaics: and whether, having regard to the importance of preserving intact the architectural and artistic features of this 343 great national monument, he will use his influence to assist in having inquiry made into the subject of the injury alleged to be caused in these respects by carrying out the present scheme of decoration?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYAs the honourable Gentleman is aware, the Government have no power either of control or advice in the matter to which he refers in his Question, but I feel certain that the great artistic authorities who are concerned in the work of decorating St. Paul's Cathedral will feel, as everybody must feel, the great importance of preserving that historic structure unimpaired.