HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc725-6W
Mr. Strauss

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has considered the report of the committee appointed to consider the erection of a memorial statue in the Palace of Westminster to the late Lord Attlee; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Foot

The Government have now considered the report of the Joint Committee, which was appointed under the Chairmanship of my right hon. Friend, to advise on the form, site and commissioning of the memorial. The Government have decided to accept the Committee's recommendations that Mr. Ivor Roberts-Jones should be commissioned to sculpture a full length bronze statue, consistent in scale with the statues of Winston Churchill and David Lloyd-George in the Members' Lobby. It will be erected on the vacant plinth on the East side of the archway leading to the Commons Corridor. In order to preserve the visual symmetry of the Lobby the height of this plinth and another unoccupied plinth will be reduced to match those already occupied. It is hoped that the statue will be completed and erected by about the Summer Recess of 1979. The total cost is estimated at approximately £26,000.