§ Mr. Sextonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been drawn to the inaccuracy of dates of the reign of Charles II inscribed on the front of the Houses of Parliament facing the river; whether he will take steps to have the matter corrected; and whether he will cause a record of the interregnum period, 1649 to 166o, to be inscribed on the same wall to commemorate the Protectorship of Oliver Cromwell?
§ Mr. R. S. Hudson(for the First Commissioner of Works): My Noble Friend understands that Charles II became King de jure in 1649, the date given in the inscription, and that the first Statute of his Kingship de facto, which commenced in 1660, is described as of the twelfth year of his reign. As the inscription is part of the original architectural treatment of the building, my Noble Friend does not see any advantage in making a change at this date.