§ MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCKasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether Her Majesty's Government have approved any design for the exterior architectural elevation of the proposed Natural History Museum at South Kensington; whether the approved design is substantially the same as that now exhibited by Mr. A. Waterhouse at the Royal Albert Music Hall, and numbered 3,673; and, if so, upon what grounds a design has been adopted which is at variance with the style of the adjacent buildings of the South Kensington Museum; and, whether, before the Vote for the Natural History Museum is proposed, he will exhibit Drawings or a Model of the approved design within the precincts of this House?
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, in reply, that the design now being exhibited in the Hall of Arts and Sciences at Kensington for the proposed Natural History Museum at South Kensington, was prepared some three years ago for the information of the Commissioner of Works; various improvements were being made in it, and as soon as those improvements were completed he would exhibit it in the Library of the House if desired. With regard to the design conforming to any other building in the neighbourhood he 403 presumed that must be an architectural canon, as it was insisted on by the hon. Member, and, if so, no doubt the architect would conform to it; but, if not, the architect would, no doubt, exercise his professional discretion.