§ Lord Carverasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there has been any history of vandalism affecting Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais in Victoria Tower Gardens; and if so, whether its condition would be improved by being moved to Abingdon Green; and [HL2997]
Whether Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais in Victoria Tower Gardens has been covered in wax; and if so why. [HL2996]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyResponsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency. As its Chief Executive, William Weston, has not yet taken up his appointment, I have asked the Agency's Head of Policy, Viviane Robertson, to reply on his behalf.
Letter to Lord Carver from the Head of Policy of the Royal Parks Agency, Viviane Robertson, dated 6 July 2000.
As the new Chief Executive does not take up his post until 10 July, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your parliamentary Questions about Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais, because Victoria Tower Gardens is the responsibility of the agency.
I can confirm that the Burghers of Calais has been coated in wax. Wax has traditionally been used to protect bronzes from corrosive agents present in the atmosphere, and is a practice recommended by English Heritage and outlined in their technical handbook.
There has been little recent vandalism to the sculpture, although people do try to clamber on to it. In the past some inscriptions have been carved into the wax coating of the bronze, but without damaging the bronze itself.
The agency does not manage Abingdon Green and so we cannot comment on whether it would be a suitable site to relocate the Burghers of Calais.
155WA
§ Baroness Anelay of St. Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received since January regarding the relocation of Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais, which is currently located in Victoria Gardens. [HL3013]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyResponsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency. As its Chief Executive, William Weston, has not yet taken up his appointment, I have asked the Agency's Head of Policy, Viviane Robertson, to reply on his behalf.
Letter to Baroness Anelay of St. Johns from the Head of Policy of the Royal Parks Agency, Viviane Robertson, dated 6 July 2000.
As the new Chief Executive does not take up his post until 10 July, I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to reply to your parliamentary Question about Rodin's statue of the Burghers of Calais, as Victoria Tower Gardens is the responsibility of the agency.
Since January, Sir Nicholas Goodison, Chairman of the National Art Collections Fund, has made written representations to the Agency suggesting the sculpture be recited, and Lord Carver has tabled a parliamentary Question.