§ 1. Professor Savoryasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the declaration by the Prime Minister of Eire that his Government have under consideration the request of the Dublin Corporation for the removal of the statue of Queen Victoria from its position in front of the Parliament House in Dublin; and whether, to save this statue from the indignities inflicted on those of King William III and King George II, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will make an offer to the Government of Eire to purchase this statue for removal to the United Kingdom?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr. Emrys-Evans)The point raised by my hon. Friend is a hypothetical one. He will have seen that in a recent statement in the Dail Mr. de Valera indicated that no decision had been taken in this matter which was not regarded as one of urgency.
§ Professor SavoryMay I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will take some steps to save this statue from the fate meted out to that of King William III, which was blown up in 1929 in College Green, and the statue of King George II in St. Stephen's Green, which was threatened with a similar fate, was blown from its pedestal, but was saved for the City of Birmingham through the activities of Professor Bodkin?
§ Mr. Emrys-EvansI do not think the statue is in any immediate danger.
§ Professor SavoryBeware.