§ LORD TAUNTONrose to ask his noble Friend the Lord President, Whether it was the intention of the Government to authorize the erection of the Statutes of two late eminent Civil Engineers, Mr. Brunel and Mr. Locke, in St. Margaret's Square, close to the statue of Mr. Canning? He did not desire to disparage the services of those eminent men, or the noble profession to which they belonged, but he doubted the propriety of the juxta-position. The immediate vicinity of the Houses of Parliament might, he thought, be more appropriately reserved for those eminent men who had distinguished themselves in that or the other House, and our experience in Trafalgar Square had shown that the grouping of statues, unless it was carried out in accordance with the architecture of the surrounding buildings, was by no means generally fortunate.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, he had been informed by his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Works that he intended to reserve the side of St. Margaret's Square, facing the Houses of Parliament, for the reception of the statues of eminent statesmen; but that it was his intention to permit the statues referred to to be erected on the side facing the Institution of Civil Engineers.
§ LORD TAUNTONasked whether a plan or report would be laid before either House of Parliament, or whether any money Vote would be required?
§ EARL GRANVILLEthought that there would be no necessity for any Vote of money, but he was sure that his right hon. Friend would not carry out this plan if it was opposed to the general wish.