§ Lord Marlesfordasked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether, as part of the on-going programme of restoration and renovation of the Palace of Westminster, he will arrange for the small crowns which decorate the top of the wrought iron railings surrounding New Palace Yard to he gilded with gold leaf.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)There are no plans to do so. When restoration work is being planned, great care is taken to research the history of the site and to respect the original designer's scheme. There is no evidence that gilding was used on the railings originally. Any proposal for gilding would have to be considered by the relevant committees of both Houses in the light of expert advice and estimates of cost. The original colour of the railings was a very dark green, almost black; and the panels which have already been restored are now painted in that colour.