HC Deb 06 August 1925 vol 187 c1551
69. Mr. B. PETO

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, the price paid by the subscribers to the Epstein panel, which was presented to the nation and erected at the bird sanctuary in Hyde Park?

Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSON (for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)

My Department was not concerned with the terms agreed between the Hudson Memorial Committee and Mr. Epstein for the design and erection of the panel, and I regret that I am unable to furnish my hon. Friend with this information.

Mr. PETO

Were the Office of Works so well satisfied with the beauty of this object, and so convinced that the public would appreciate it, that they did not make any inquiry whatever as to whether it had any intrinsic value?

Mr. J. JONES

Will the hon. Gentleman, at the same time, undertake to publish the names of the subscribers to the bird sanctuary in Piccadilly Circus?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I have answered a great many questions in the House on the subject of this memorial, and my hon. Friend the Member for Barn-staple (Mr. Peto) must realise that the more it is advertised by questions in the House the less it will be a sanctuary for the birds.