HC Deb 12 July 1937 vol 326 c859
35. Mr. Kelly

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether consideration has been given to air conditioning, relative humidity, and temperature at the National Gallery and Tate Gallery on the lines of that carried out at Hampton Court by the Office of Works?

Sir P. Sassoon

Consideration has been given to the question of installing an air conditioning system at the National Galleries, but no concrete scheme has yet been prepared. I may say that the conditions in the Orangery at Hampton Court are totally different from those in the National Galleries, and the system in operation at Hampton Court is not applicable.

Mr. Kelly

Is consideration being given to the urgency of the question of air conditioning, particularly at the Tate Gallery, which is now left with varying atmospheres, to the detriment of all that it contains?

Sir P. Sassooon

Full consideration is being given to the matter, but, as I have said, the system that is in operation at Hampton Court is not applicable to the National Galleries.

Mr. Gallacher

When the Tate Gallery is finished with, will consideration be given to the question of air conditioning here, where there are objects of art which are suffering very much?