§ 58. Mr. Martin Lindsayasked the Minister of Works why no repairs have been carried out to the superficial bomb damage of the Guards Memorial and other prominent memorials and statues in Central London.
§ Mr. StokesRepairs have been carried out to prevent deterioration to most of the bomb damaged statues and memorials in the charge of my Department. It is the practice to leave the honourable scars of war unless they are likely to lead to further deterioration of the fabric. Permanent repairs to the bronze figures of the Guards Memorial were completed last year and relettering of the inscription will be undertaken when skilled stonemasons are available.
§ Mr. LindsayDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that many of these quite small bomb gashes merely make the figures look very shabby, as if the object for which they were put up was no longer of interest?
§ Mr. StokesThe hon. Gentleman is wrong. The figures themselves have been restored. It is only on the masonry where the scars have been left—or so I have been informed.
§ Captain CrookshankWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not do anything about the Guards Memorial without consulting the responsible authorities and the Brigade of Guards, who put it up?
§ Mr. Stokes indicated assent.