§ MR. M'LARENasked the First Commissioner of Works, On what grounds the completion of the Industrial Museum in Edinburgh has been indefinitely postponed, by the omission from the Miscellaneous Estimates of the usual grant of £5,000 for building purposes; and, whether this omission will be supplied when any supplementary estimates are brought forward?
LORD HENRY LENNOXSir, I am much indebted to the hon. Member for Edinburgh for giving me an opportunity of removing the natural misgiving which exists in that city on the subject; and I am happy to assure him that there has never been any intention on the part of the Government to act in the manner suggested in his Question. The omission of any sum for the purpose in this year's Estimates was owing to the fact that the arrangements for the construction of the west wing were not sufficiently advanced to enable the Government to insert any sum. If necessary, a Vote can be submitted hereafter in the shape of a Supplementary Vote, and in the meanwhile I beg the hon. Member to believe that I will use my utmost efforts to remedy the delay which has taken place, and for which I fear I must admit I was partly to blame.