§ MR. OGLErose to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it was the intention of the trustees of the National Gallery to persevere in cleaning the pictures of the old masters; and also, whether they contemplated removing the pictures of the Royal Academicians from that part of the building now appropriated to them?
§ LORD J. RUSSELLreplied, that he found on inquiry that no pictures had been ordered to be cleaned during the last two years. At the same time it was right to say that the trustees were satisfied with what had already been done, and were not of opinion that any injury had been done to the pictures by cleaning. With respect to the hon. Gentleman's further question, no arrangement had been finally made with regard to the National Gallery. It was a question at present under the consideration of the Government, whether in some way greater room might not be provided for the pictures recently given by individuals to the institution, and especially for the Vernon collection. But it was not now in contemplation to remove the pictures exhibited in the Royal Academy from their present position.