§ 7. Mr. J. Rodgersasked the Minister of Works whether he will put a new ornamental fountain in Hyde Park.
§ Mr. MolsonI have accepted an offer by the Constance Fund to provide a fountain in the form of a major work of sculpture. The Constance Fund was set up in 1944 through the generosity of the late Mrs. Constance Goetze. Its principal object is to improve public parks by the erection of works of ornamental sculpture, and the Fund has already presented two fountains to the Royal Parks. I should like to express my great appreciation of the Fund's latest gift to these Parks.
I propose that the new fountain should be placed in Hyde Park near the East Carriage Drive where the Dolphin Fountain now stands. This attractive gift is made at an appropriate moment in view of the changes which will be brought about by the new Park Lane Scheme. I shall use the Dolphin Fountain to replace the Swan Fountain in Regent's Park, which is in a very bad condition.
The Constance Fund proposes to hold an open competition for the design of the new fountain and will advertise its intention during the next few days.
§ Mr. RodgersDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that, apart from the fountains in Trafalgar Square, London is very deficient in fountains compared with other capital cities, and especially of good pieces of sculpture? Does he realise that the answer he has given today will give enormous satisfaction to thousands of Londoners?
§ Mr. MolsonI entirely agree with my hon. Friend. When one compares London with Rome, one realises that there is a great need for additional beautiful fountains.