§ MR. REEDasked the First Commissioner of Works to explain the causes of delay in completing the Museum of Art and Science in the East of London, for which a Vote of £20,000 was taken in the year 1867; and whether, out of consideration that this is the only museum provided for the education and recreation of the people east of Temple Bar, an assurance can be given to the House that it will be opened without further loss of time?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, he felt especially interested in having this Museum completed; because he was the first to suggest its construction. It was not, however, the case that a Vote of £20,000 was taken for it three or four years ago. An Estimate to that amount was laid on the Table, and a small Vote was taken on account. Since then from year to year other small Votes had been introduced into the Estimates to carry on the building on a system common in the conduct of public works, but which he trusted would not be continued—namely, of beginning the work, and pursuing it by slow degrees, so that it might not assume a formidable appearance in the Estimates. The consequence had been that this comparatively small work had taken a long time. However, in the Estimate for the ensuing year, the amount necessary to complete the building would be inserted, and as soon as the Vote was taken the work would be carried on with energy. It would, he hoped, be finished within three months from that time, and it would then be his pleasureable duty to hand it over to the President of the Council, who would deal with it in his Department with the view of making it publicly useful.