HC Deb 01 May 1899 vol 70 c956
MR. W. REDMOND

I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether the present Parliament has sanctioned the site for the statue of Oliver Cromwell; and, if not, whether an opportunity will be given the House of expressing by vote an opinion on the matter?

THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)

As I stated on Tuesday last in answer to the honourable Member for Belfast, my predecessor in 1895 granted permission for the erection of a statue to Cromwell in the Westminster-hall Garden, at the expense of a private donor. I merely confirmed the engagement which had been made, and am ready to defend the course I took if the honourable Member desires to raise the Question on the Vote for my salary in Class II.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman, in connection with this, whether he will be kind enough to describe exactly where the site is? If it is where I think it is, I am quite sure the statue will not be seen, and in that case I do not object.

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

The site selected is in the sunk garden on the west side of Westminster Hall.

MR. W. REDMOND

A sort of area.