53. Mr. BASIL PETOasked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the First Commissioner of Works has arranged for the early removal from its present site in Hyde Park of the Epstein bas-relief; and whether he will see that it is not re-erected in any other public place in this country?
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSON (for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.
Mr. PETOCan the hon. Member say whether this work of art belongs to the nation and, if so, whether he will consider the advisability of offering this specimen of Bolshevist so-called art to the Soviet Government of Russia?
§ Mr. SPEAKERArgumentative adjectives are out of order as supplementary questions.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONWill the hon. Member say whether he has had an opportunity of seeing the indignation of the public at what has been called a work of art in the midst of an otherwise charming bird sanctuary?
§ Mr. BECKETTIs the Under-Secretary aware that the public consider his artistic taste much better than that of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONWe had a good many communications in the first instance condemning this memorial tablet. We also received others almost lyrical in their praise. During the last three or four weeks we have had no communications.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs it not a fact that the First Commissioner of Works has not received any communication during the last few weeks, because it was understood that he was making inquiries as to the feelings of the public? He can surely have no mistake as to what is that feeling!
§ Mr. SPEAKEREvidently there are two feelings in the House.