§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he wished to ask the Vice President of the Board of Education whether, as it appears from the Returns laid before this House that in the case of some of our National Collections of objects of art, science, and historical interest, as well as in the case of civil and religious edifices and monuments (all maintained or assisted by the Money Votes of Parliament), the public have the benefit of instruction by means of descriptive labels affixed or appended to such objects, without incurring the cost of a catalogue, while in the case of other such collections, edifices, and monuments (similarly supported by public money) no such advantage is given to the public, whether measures will be taken for extending the system of labelling generally for the benefit of the public?
MR. COWPERin reply said, that the Government had been most anxious to carry out the object to which the hon. Gentleman referred in the case of all museums and collections of objects of art, science, and natural products. At the British Museum, at the Kensington Museum, and at other similar institutions, all the articles exhibited were described in a short and condensed manner; and in the case of the Turner collection, not only were the subjects of the various paintings described, but the date at which they were painted was also given—an arrangement which he considered afforded great assistance to students.