§ MR. CAVENDISH BENTINCKsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What course Her Majesty's Government intend to pursue relative to the vacant ground at South Kensington, and the erection of a building there; and whether any Bill is to be introduced this Session for the removal of any of the collections now forming part of the British Museum?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the intention of Her Majesty's Government, as I think my hon. 815 Friend will perceive from the Civil Estimates which will very shortly be laid upon the table, is to propose two Votes for the disposal in part of the site at South Kensington, one of which will apply to the reception of certain collections of the British Museum, and the other to the collection of Patents. With respect to the introduction of any Bill this Session for the removal of those collections, that would not come on until we have disposed of the Vote. It must necessarily follow; but until I know how that question has been disposed of, I am not able to speak of the time when the Bill will be introduced.