Oral Answers to Questions — Former Prime Ministers (Statues)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 18 December 1957.

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Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire 12:00, 18 December 1957

asked the Prime Minister, in view of his Motion that a statue be made of the late Earl Balfour, what steps he is taking to honour the memory of other Prime Ministers who have now been dead for 10 years.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend has no suggestions before him at present. I think that in these matters we have to be guided by what we feel to be the wishes of the House.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

Could the Lord Privy Seal tell us whether there is any system of priorities? Is the only qualification for an ex-Prime Minister to have a statue that he must have been dead for ten years? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what are the chances of the present Prime Minister getting into the crypt?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I have ascertained that there are six Prime Ministers who have no statue, and so we have to look at them first before we look at any others.