Written question asked by Andrew Hargreaves (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 March 1997. It was answered by Iain Sproat (Conservative) on Friday, 21 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of National Heritage.

Dept of National Heritage

Answer: Mr. Hargreaves: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about her proposal for an avenue of statues in London. [21460] Mr. Sproat: Sir Neil Cossons, the director of science museum, has been invited to be chairman of a committee to look at the possibility of establishing a project to erect an avenue of statues of famous British inventors, scientists, discoverers, industrialists etc. This avenue would be sited in London, as the capital city of the United Kingdom, but the precise site within London would be a matter for the committee to decide. Among other matters for the committee to decide would be the identification of those to be included as statues, and the sources, and raising, of funding for the project. The committee would be totally independent of the Government, and its membership would be for Sir Neil to decide. London is plentifully and properly adorned with statues of kings and queens, soldiers, sailors, statesmen and artists etc., but our great scientific and industrial heritage, which is certainly as important as other parts of our heritage, is less well commemorated. This project could help redress that balance.

Secondary information