§ 27. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, seeing that many eminent men of the past associated with the growth of Parliament are represented on canvas or in stone throughout the Palace of Westminster, he will take into consideration some form of memorial to Simon de Montfort?
§ Captain HACKING (for the first Commissioner of Works)As my hon. and gallant Friend omitted to draw the attention of the Office of Works to the omission from the Estimates of the necessary financial item for the erection of such a memorial, previous to the Estimates receiving the approval of this House, the First Commissioner regrets that no funds are new available for the purpose desired. I may perhaps add that if anyone is prepared to offer such a memorial, the First Commissioner would be prepared to consider its acceptance.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs not this great statesman the real father of the Mother of Parliaments, and should not some effort be made to put up a memorial worthy of him?
§ Captain HACKINGIt is a question of finance, and no provision has been made in the Estimates.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs the hon. Gentleman aware that even the Office of Works are not quite sure whether there is a memorial to him or not, and that one of their most intelligent men spent the whole day in running round to see if he could find one?
§ Captain HACKINGI do not accept the suggestion that one of the most intelligent men was sent round.
§ Captain HACKINGI understand that he improved his ways later in life.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONIn considering the question of these memorials, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there was a certain Guy Fawkes who took a much more reasonable view of this place, and is much more popular with the public outside?
§ Captain HACKINGIf the hon. Member wishes me to go into great detail, I ought to have notice of that question.