§ MR. PERCY WYNDHAMasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he 852 would undertake that the contents of the Indian Museum should not be dispersed until the House had an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the Motion of the Member for the Elgin Burghs; and, whether he would consider the alternative of charging the Estimates with such a sum as may be found sufficient, upon consideration of the matter, to keep the collection intact?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI hope that the hon. Member for the Elgin Burghs (Mr. Grant Duff) will have an opportunity before the close of the Session of bringing on his Motion in reference to the Indian Museum. Before that time, no definite steps will have been taken for the removal of the collections. I am aware that my hon. Friend takes a special interest in the Art collection, and we should be very glad to have the advantage of hearing his opinions on the subject before the final decision is come to. Perhaps, therefore, he will be kind enough to communicate with me. The question of a contribution from Imperial funds towards the support of an Indian Museum has been more than once considered between the India Office and the Treasury, but without any result.