HC Deb 24 October 1912 vol 42 cc2369-70
58. Mr. KING

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he can give the House any information concerning the statue, supposed to be of a certain monarch, recently erected in Westminster Hall over the door leading to the Members' entrance?

Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)

The attention of the Commissioner of Works has been drawn to three stone statues of kings in the Tufton Street Museum, which had been removed from Westminster Hall. They are well-preserved works of the end of the 14th century, but in the absence of any symbols or accessories it is not possible to say what kings they represent. The First Commissioner now proposes to bring them back, and he has had one set up experimentally in Westminster Hall.

Mr. KING

Why has such a lofty position been chosen, where this beautiful statue cannot be seen?

Mr. BENN

There is no doubt that the statue was intended for a position about twenty feet above the spectator. It was originally placed on the north wall, about that height.

Mr. KING

Was it placed in an external and not an internal position?

Mr. BENN

No, Sir; from the report of an examination of the statue which has been made it appears that its position was probably internal.