HC Deb 22 March 1955 vol 538 c1870
42. Captain Duncan

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to restore the pictures in the Upper Waiting Hall of the Palace of Westminster.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. J. R. Bevins)

My right hon. Friend has referred this problem to the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons, and understands that they are opposed to the restoration of the murals.

Captain Duncan

Can my hon. Friend tell us a little more about these pictures? When were they painted, who painted them, were they ever finished and when were they covered? Is it true that they were covered because Queen Victoria objected to them?

Mr. Bevins

No. They were painted by eight different artists many years ago, and they are in a very bad condition.