§ 1. Mr. Martenasked the Minister of Public Building and Works if he will make a statement on the future of the Henry Moore statue, Knife Edge, which stands outside Parliament.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. Anthony Kershaw)This sculpture was presented to the nation by Henry Moore and the Contemporary Arts Society in 1967 and the change in its position has now been made at their suggestion and expense.
§ Mr. MartenWould it not be better for the reputation of this very distinguished sculptor if this statue were placed in a more suitable position? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it now stands on a black marble pedestal against a Gothic background, that this does not set it off properly, and that it ought to be moved elsewhere, perhaps to a sylvan setting? Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider it?
§ Mr. KershawThere is no example of the work of this eminent sculptor in the centre of London and it is thought that there ought to be. It was desired to make the presentation a little better by putting it on a plinth and turning it round the other way.