§ MR. BERESFORD HOPEasked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made in the Westminster Police Court, on Tuesday, by Superintendent Hayes, to the effect, according to one report—
That it required the exercise of the greatest vigilance to protect the valuable property of the Museum; recently three robberies had been committed there by the use of some instruments of force;and, according to another report, that "robberies were frequently being committed at the Museum;" and, whether he is prepared to state that further precautions will be taken to secure the national treasures at South Kensington, as well as the valuable property of private persons, which has been lent to the Museum in full confidence of its safety from pillage?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERsaid, in reply, that it was natural that his hon. Friend, who was a contributor of so valuable and interesting a collection of objects at South Kensington, should wish to know the truth of this statement. On inquiry he (Mr. W. E. Forster) found the statement exaggerated, though whether it was or was not an exact report he could 533 not tell. Generally speaking, there had been very few robberies at the Museum; although it was true that since the 2nd of January there had been three robberies, effected by breaking open the locks of cases. All the articles stolen had, however, been recovered, and extra precautions were now taken, by increasing the strength of the fastenings, increasing the police force, and stationing in the building a detective in plain clothes. He hoped his hon. Friend would not be uneasy about the safety of his own collection. Special care was taken of it. It was placed in iron cases, framed with plate glass of double thickness; it was constantly watched by the police, and was placed in a part of the building well frequented by visitors, who would, no doubt, assist in protecting it.