HC Deb 20 March 1951 vol 485 cc2288-9
34. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange to have the principal London statues for which he is responsible cleaned for the Festival of Britain.

Mr. Stokes

Most statues in the care of my Department are cleaned at intervals of about three months; the exceptions are Nelson and the Duke of York which, being at the top of high columns, are cleaned about once in 25 years. I do not consider that there is any need for special cleaning for the Festival of Britain.

Brigadier Clarke

Will the Minister arrange to have Nelson's Column cleaned, and, if necessary, floodlit so that visitors arriving for the Festival of Britain will realise that Britain once ruled the waves?

Mr. Stokes

I think I am right in saying that it is already floodlit. I can only repeat that I do not think it is necessary to alter the programme which we already have for statue cleaning.

Professor Savory

Will the right hon. Gentleman make the beautiful statue of William III in St. James's Square the object of his special solicitude in order that the numerous visitors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States may see it to its best advantage?

Mr. Stokes

I will go and have a look and see what it looks like.