§ 42. Mr. LAWSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Rome Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the picture depicting the Speaker being held down in the Chair, formerly hung in St. Stephen's Hall, is now to remain permanently in 1088 Committee Room 14; and whether it is possible to find a more public place for this picture?
§ Captain HACKING(for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS): The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My Noble Friend regrets he is unable to find a more public place for this picture.
§ Mr. LAWSONAre there not pictures in public places of much less historic value but more esteemed by the House and the public? Would not an exchange of such pictures be possible?
§ Captain HACKINGIf anyone has any suggestions to make, my noble Friend will give them every sympathetic consideration.
§ Sir J. NALLMight not the pictures displaced from St. Stephen's Hall very well be placed in Westminster Hall, particularly the one of the Unknown Warrior?
§ Captain HACKINGNo, Sir. I think there was a general expression of disapproval of pictures being put in Westminster Hall.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman not consider substituting for the unfinished picture of the recipient of backsheesh, which has now crept in St. Stephen's Hall, this picture which has been taken away?
§ Captain HACKINGI think I answered that question rather fully a few days ago, and I have no addition to make to the answer I have given.
§ Mr. JAMES BROWNIs not this a rare opportunity to get rid of this disgraceful picture and put something in its place which would be more true to history than it is?
§ Mr. MacLARENWill the Department responsible for these pictures take more into review the diabolical paintings that are now being allocated to it, and see to it that before any painting is placed in this building it shall be worthy as a work of art?
§ Captain HACKINGIf the hon. Member was referring to the pictures just placed in St. Stephen's Hall—
§ Mr. MacLARENNo, No!
§ Captain HACKINGI think they are works of art. As far as the question of the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. J. Brown) is concerned, he does not seem to think that this picture is true to history.
§ Captain HACKINGThe hon. Member who asked me a question two days ago said it was not true to history.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, I did not. I said nothing of the sort. I said the episode chosen for this picture was a national insult and a humiliation because it was true.
§ Captain HACKINGThe hon. Member said that actually money passed—
§ Mr. JOHNSTONYes.
§ Captain HACKING—but it is not shown in the picture.
§ Mr, MacLARENOn a point of explanation. What I put as a Supplementary Question was not a reflection on the paintings now in the New Central Hall. But paintings have been removed from the Central Hall which from the point of view of art were really a disgrace to the building.