HC Deb 30 April 1935 vol 301 cc197-8W
Dr. O'DONOVAN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the British Government's request to Mr. Eric Gill to submit plans for the decoration of the Palace of Peace at Geneva, what suggestions and restrictions have been officially put to the artist; and if the British Government has full and complete liberty from the League of Nations to carry out its own scheme of decoration?

Sir J. SIMON

The present position with regard to the proposed gift of His Majesty's Government to the new buildings of the League of Nations is as follows:

It has been ascertained that a set of sculptured panels by Mr. Eric Gill would be acceptable in principle to the authorities of the League, with whom Mr. Gill has discussed the situation in which the panels would be placed and the subject of the proposed work. Mr. Gill has not yet submitted a design for the panels, but has been asked to do so. His Majesty's Government have not made any suggestions or imposed any restrictions on the artist in the choice of a subject. It is, of course, understood, however, that the design must be a suitable one and acceptable to the authorities of the League. His Majesty's Government will consider any design submitted by Mr. Gill from this point of view.