HC Deb 19 December 1941 vol 376 cc2264-5W
Mr. Hutchinson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether he can give the House any information with regard to the original plans and drawings for the Palace of Westminster, by Sir Charles Barry, which have been found; and whether these plans and drawings can be acquired and, at some future time, suitably displayed in the House?

Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works and Buildings whether, in connection with the finding of the original drawings of the Palace of Westminster in a house at Cheam, Surrey, on 13th December, it is proposed to make any use of these drawings in rebuilding any of the damaged parts of the building?

Mr. Hicks

Mr. Charles Marshall, of Cheam, Surrey, generously offered in May last to present to the Ministry a collection of some 52 drawings made by Sir Charles Barry for the building of the Houses of Parliament. Certain of these drawings will undoubtedly be useful and have been retained by the Ministry. The remainder have, with Mr. Marshall's agreement, been presented to the R.I.B.A., where a large collection of drawings by Sir Charles Barry is already preserved and where they will be more readily available to the architectural profession. The drawings retained in the Ministry, though containing valuable information, are fragmentary and not considered suitable for exhibition as suggested.