§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to erect the new Natural History Museum on the Thames Embankment, as unanimously recommended by a Select Committee of last Session on the suggestion of Mr. Layard, then First Commissioner of Works, and with the approbation of the heads of the Natural History Department of the British Museum?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERreplied, that the Report of the Select Committee, which was entitled to every respect as far as relates to the merits of the question, could not be carried into effect without taking away 1362 a considerable quantity of land which had already been dedicated by Act of Parliament for the purpose of forming gardens and ornamental ground. The Government, after considering the Report and not denying the excellence of the plan suggested, were nevertheless not prepared to come to the House and ask for power for carrying out the arrangements which were recommended in this Report. The Government, therefore, had taken no steps in the direction indicated by the hon. Gentleman.