§ 77. Sir SAMUEL CHAPMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the. First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been called to the error in the descriptive account of the fresco painting of the execution of Montrose, which asserts the execution took place in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, whereas it took place in the High Street, of which this picture is a correct representation; and will he take steps to correct the mistake?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The inscription in question was composed by a high authority on the period, and is supported by such authorities as Gardner, Sir Walter Scott and Hume Brown. In these circumstances the First Commissioner cannot agree to any alteration of the inscription unless further evidence is forthcoming in support of the hon. Member's contention.
§ Sir S. CHAPMANWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to submit to him the most recent authorities on the question, which will undoubtedly prove that the inscription has been entirely wrong for the last 10 or 15 years?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONif this painting is a correct representation of the historical incident referred to, why is it that there should be any question of having it altered?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI am sure the First Commissioner will be delighted to receive any representation on this point. I understand that there is a good deal of artistic licence in the picture.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it not the case that the penultimate line of this question declares that this picture is a correct representation of this historical incident, and, if that is so, why should the hon. Member desire that it should be altered?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members had better meet in the Lobby.