HC Deb 28 May 1847 vol 92 cc1273-4

On the question, that 12,812l. be granted for the expenses of the Public Record Department,

MR. PROTHEROE

hoped to hear that some measures were being taken to provide a place of permanent deposit for the public records: they were at present placed part in that filthy old building the Chapterhouse of Westminister Abbey; part next the powder magazine in the Tower, and in the old Riding-house of Carlton Palace; in all these places they were extremely insecure, and might be destroyed at any time. They contained some of the most curious and valuable documents in Europe; and, even if considered as mere public stores, they deserved to be kept in some place of security. If a building should be constructed for them, he hoped the style of architecture adopted would be a simple one, and not the expensive Gothic of the New Houses of Parliament.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, the subject had been brought under the attention of the Government, but there was some difficulty in finding a site adequate to the purpose. The Government had given up the notion of devoting any portion of the New Houses of Parliament for the deposit of the records, and three or four sites had been mentioned for a building for them. One was on ground belonging to the Rolls estate; but, however desirable it was to remove the records from their places of deposit, it nevertheless required some time to obtain possession of the ground. He could only say, the subject was under consideration, and steps were being taken to obtain that site which was, on the whole, most desirable.

DR. BOWRING

suggested that the Government should make a collection of the records connected with the earlier periods of the history of the country. Every nation in Europe had made some progress in collecting such old historical documents; France had made a collection of this kind, and M. Guizot paid great attention to the subject; Germany, Italy, Denmark, and Sweden, had taken advantage of this period of peace and tranquillity to apply themselves to the same public purpose. He did not know whether the Government had come to any determination on the subject, but it was a matter looked on with great interest by literary men; much surprise had been expressed that countries possessing inferior treasures had done much more than England to gather together the elements of historical knowledge.

MR. PROTHEROE

thought it was a great error in the Record Commission to have commenced publishing too soon. They began to print before they knew what they possessed. The records were now being arranged, and it would be known what the country really had. The Commission at first published old calendars, and began series of records afterwards found to be imperfect. He trusted, when all the records were arranged, the Government would think it worth while to devote a sum of money to publishing a selection from them.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

could not give the hon. and learned Gentleman any information on the point, having had no notice of the question. He thought the suggestion a good one; but he could not commit the Government to any particular course respecting it.

Vote agreed to.