HC Deb 20 March 1962 vol 656 cc189-90
13. Mr. Mellish

asked the Minister of Works what are his intentions concerning the vacant plinths in the Members' Lobby.

Lord John Hope

A statue of Lord Balfour will shortly be placed on the plinth at present occupied by Sir William Harcourt, and a statue of Earl Lloyd George now under commission will eventually be placed on the vacant plinth on the left-hand side of the Churchill Arch. No other decisions have been taken.

Mr. Mellish

Would it not be a good idea to reserve one of these plinths for the late Sir Waldron Smithers, since he was the only Conservative who could hold Orpington?

Lord John Hope

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would care to table that Question after the General Election.

Mr. Kershaw

Was it not Sir William Harcourt who said, "We are all Socialists now"? Therefore, would it not be a good idea to put him in the basement?

Mr. Speaker

I think that we are getting rather far from the plinth.