HC Deb 26 March 1936 vol 310 c1420
98. Mr. DAVID ADAMS

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, with a view to increasing the entertainment of those using the public dining rooms, he will bring before his committee the question of the desirability of replacing, either temporarily or permanently, the photo-prints of forgotten statesmen by the loan from the National Gallery, or elsewhere, of appropriate works of art?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

I presume the hon. Member refers to the photographs of pictures of 17th century statesmen in the strangers' dining-room which were specially obtained from several donors, principally Lord Mildmay of Flete, by Mr. Speaker Whitley. I am not prepared to suggest their removal, but the future use of this and other rooms nearby is at present under consideration by a Joint Select Committee on kitchen and dining-room accommodation, and their report may affect the future place of these photographs.

Mr. HARDIE

Is it not much more important, instead of talking about pictures, that the right hon. Gentleman should see about the prices of the food?

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