§ MR. BOWRINGasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether there is any truth in the report that it is proposed to break up and disperse the valuable Library of the Board of Trade, that Library containing about 40,000 volumes of works on economical science and other subjects, and having been formed with great care during a long course of years, and at considerable expense to the Country; and, whether any steps will be taken to remedy the risk and inconvenience caused by the present arrangements, whereby the Library in question has been for some years kept in temporary wooden buildings adjoining the former site of the Board of Trade?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, in reply, that he hoped a suitable habitation would shortly be found for the valuable library of the Board of Trade. In the meantime he was assured by his right hon. Friend the Chief Commissioner of Works that a safe lodgment would be found for the books, which had for some years past been kept in temporary wooden buildings adjoining the former site of the Board of Trade, those premises being now required for the Education Office. The library would be accessible for the use of the Public Departments.