§ Sir M. HICKS BEACH (Bristol, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to propose a Vote for the erection of a statue of the late Marquess of Salisbury, in accordance with the action of Parliament in the case of other distinguished statesmen who have held the office of Prime Minister.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe House will readily understand that I have been unwilling to take the initiative in the matter referred to by my right hon. friend. But when a person of his standing and authority, who, I think, first served with Lord Salisbury in 1874, puts the Question to me, I can only say that in my judgment it would only be continuing the consecrated traditions of this House if this mark of respect to the memory of Lord Salisbury was paid. I believe that Lord Salisbury actually served a longer number of years as Prime Minister than any other statesman in this country since the great Reform Bill of 1832.