HL Deb 24 June 1968 vol 293 cc1101-2

2.43 p.m.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government under whose authority and for what reasons people are not allowed on the grass around the George V Memorial and the Henry Moore statue.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, my right honourable friend is responsible for the control of these areas. The "Keep off the grass" notices have been put around the Henry Moore sculpture to prevent the area becoming unsightly. During the winter months, the grass became badly churned up by people approaching close to the sculpture, and the area had to be re-turfed in the spring.

The noble Lord may have observed that the "Keep off the grass" notices around the King George V statue have recently been removed. They will not be replaced unless it is found that the grass becomes badly worn and spoils the appearance of the area.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his reply. I have indeed seen what he said in regard to the notices around the King George V statue. About the Henry Moore statue, does not the noble Lord think, and do not Her Majesty's Government think, that it will probably be appreciated as culture whether it is modern or antique? It should be possible to approach close to the sculpture to see the details of the work closely.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, as someone who has approached close to the sculpture for that purpose, I agree completely with the noble Lord. There is however a problem here. There is an underground garage underneath it; drainage is not good, and there is a special tendency for the grass to be churned up if the weather is damp.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that, having regard to the nature of some of the Henry Moore statues, the farther the people are kept away from them the better it will be?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I will not argue with the noble Lord on questions of taste.

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