VISCOUNT ENFIELDasked, Whether any steps had been taken towards re-erecting the statue of the Duke of Wellington in a suitable spot at Aldershot Camp; and, when the work in question was likely to be completed?
§ LORD SUDELEYIn reply to the noble Viscount, I have to state that the statue of the Duke of Wellington is now safely housed at Aldershot, where it will be erected in the course of next year. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales proposes shortly to visit Aldershot, in order, in conjunction with the Military Authorities there, to select an appropriate site.
THE EARL OF LONGFORDsaid, that this was an instance of the inconvenience of dealing with a question by halves. The Question of the noble Viscount (Viscount Enfield) only referred to half the matter—the re-erection of the statue—and it did not take into consideration the completion of the alterations and improvements at Hyde Park Corner. He would remind their Lordships that last Session they had also the assurance given them that there should be no unreasonable delay in re-erecting the statue in a suitable manner, and yet the delay had occurred. It was obvious now that the object was to clear the space in order to make room for future statuary and other ornamental decora- 1444 tions at Hyde Park Corner, and that those things were much more in the mind of those who had promoted the scheme than any honour to the Duke of Wellington.
§ House adjourned at a quarter before Five o'clock, to Thursday next, a quarter past Ten o'clock.