§ MR. W. REDMONDI 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. REDMONDMay 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-DOUGLASThe site selected is in the sunk garden on the west side of Westminster Hall.
§ MR. W. REDMONDA sort of area.