HC Deb 11 February 1970 vol 795 cc1253-4
37. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Lord President of the Council if he has now considered the request that the statue of James Keir Hardie should be erected in a suitable part of the Palace where it can be in the view of the general public; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peart

I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works the resiting of the Keir Hardie bust. He has agreed to seek the views of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the House of Commons.

Mr. Dempsey

Would my right hon. Friend give us some idea when it is likely to be achieved? This has been an issue for several months. Will he have a simple ceremony for a simple but great man when he re-sites that bust?

Mr. Peart

I thought that I gave a favourable answer. Let me await the views of the Advisory Committee.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will my right hon. Friend look at the spelling on the Order Paper of the name of the gentleman mentioned and have the error corrected in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Mr. Speaker

The whole House had noted the mistake.

Mrs. Ewing

Will the Lord President of the Council realise that this is a very urgent matter, because every time any hon. Members opposite see this statue, they may be reminded that this man stood for home rule for Scotland? It is important to get this statue in a prominent place before the next election.

Mr. Peart

I hope the hon. Lady is aware that he was a great Socialist internationalist. I think that we should await the recommendations of the advisory committee.