§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, "Whether it is true that Her Majesty's Government have declined to make any contribution towards the expenses incurred at the late Bruxelles International Exhibition, although the Government exhibits sent to Bruxelles entailed an extra expense on the Executive Committee of £738 14s. 5d.; whether they are aware that every other European Government which sent exhibits to Bruxelles has defrayed the costs and expenses attending thereon; whether it is not the fact that upon the report of the Special Commissioners sent to Bruxelles by Her Majesty's Government, the inventions there exhibited for the relief of the wounded in war, have been introduced into the Ambulance Department of the British Army; and, whether the Government are aware that, in consequence of their refusal to make any contribution towards the expenses, the executive of the Bruxelles International Exhibition have been called upon to discharge the remaining liability amounting to nearly £700?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERIn answer to the first Question of the hon. and learned Gentleman, it is true that the Government have declined to make any contribution towards the expenses incurred at the late Brussels International Exhibition. With regard to the other Questions, I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the facts stated in the Question; but I do not know that I have any official information to give with regard to the cost incurred or the amount of the liability which may have fallen on the Executive Committee. It is the fact that some of the inventions that were exhibited for the relief of the wounded in war have been introduced into the ambulance department of the British Army; but I have not thought it necessary to make any minute inquiries into these matters for this reason— the first request made to the Treasury as to the proposed Vote towards the expenses of the Exhibition was made in January, 1876, and it was then distinctly declined. The Treasury stated that 392 they could not undertake to propose a Vote for such a purpose. In May the same year the Committee made a further application to the Treasury that provision might be made for exhibits connected with the means of saving lives and other matters to be sent to Brussels and exhibited by the Government. The request was considered and distinctly declined. The Treasury expressed their regret to find it necessary to lay down such a rule; but they could not propose a Vote except at the distinct request of the Government where the Exhibition was held. The Committee were clearly given to understand that they must not expect any pecuniary aid even in respect of those articles which were sent from a Government Department. If after so distinct an arrangement, the Committee chose to send any articles in respect of which expenses were incurred, they must be considered to have done so at their own risk.