HC Deb 27 February 1939 vol 344 cc906-7
70. Mr. Keeling

asked the First Com missioner of Works whether he will submit to the Royal Fine Art Commission the model for the memorial to King George V?

The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)

All matters in connection with the King George V Memorial are in the hands of the Executive Committee of the Lord Mayor's Memorial Fund. As my hon. Friend may have seen in the public Press, the committee are proposing to invite the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission on the design of the statue.

Mr. Keeling

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he likes the design for this memorial, or whether he shares the widely held feeling that it is awful?

Mr. Montague

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of gilding the frame and putting it on the top of the Albert Hall?

Sir P. Sassoon

I think that, as the matter will be in the hands of the Royal Fine Art Commission, we had better await their views upon it.

Mr. G. Nicholson

Will this House have any say in the matter, in view of the feeling that there is in regard to it?

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Would my right hon. Friend place in the Tea Room a plan of this memorial?

Sir P. Sassoon

It is there now.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

There is no plan.

Mr. H. Strauss

Will my right hon. Friend see that the Royal Fine Art Commission is consulted on the material, as well as the design, in order to dispel the appalling rumour that the statue is to be executed in white Carrara marble?

Sir P. Sassoon

I can dispel that rumour at once.