§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he could say when the Queen Victoria Memorial, facing Buckingham Palace, would be completed; whether any time for the completion was stated in the original contract or commission; and, if so, would he state the time; and was he aware that the present condition of the Memorial was an eyesore to everyone using the Mall?
Mr. HARCOURTI anticipate that the work will be finished in the course of the next twelve months. No actual date for completion was fixed in the original contract; the progress of sculpture is always doubtful and it is not usual to name a date. Mr. Brock, the sculptor, asked for ten years, and the Memorial will probably be completed within seven years from the date of contract. This is probably an unexampled rate of progress for a work of this magnitude. In reply to the last paragraph, I have never yet seen any scaffolding that was not displeasing, and this one is no exception to the rule.
Mr. HARCOURTI do not carry it in my head. I suppose it was six years ago; and it is likely to be completed in twelve months.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESIs it proposed to defer the opening of the Mall into Charing Cross until the completion of the Memorial?
Mr. HARCOURTOh, no. I hope to open it as soon as possible, but I am rather dependent on some work of the county council outside the confines of the Royal park.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESWill the thoroughfare be opened this year?