§ MR. W. CARTWRIGHTasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether any periodical inspection in regard to due preservation against fire, as is made once a month by Captain Shaw in the British Museum, takes place in the buildings at present allotted to the National Portrait Gallery, either by Captain Shaw or any other experienced officer connected with the Eire Brigade; whether he will state in detail the precautions provided in this gallery against fire; the number of men always on duty by day and night who would be available in the event of fire; the character, organization, and experience of this force for the purpose of extinguishing fire; under the immediate command of what officer it would have to act if called upon to do so against fire; and, whether the force is set apart exlusively for service in the National Portrait Gallery, or whether it has also general duties to perform in other portions of the Exhibition Buildings?
§ MR. GERARD NOELSir, the whole of the water-mains and fire-extinguishing appliances in the building in which the National Portrait Gallery is situated are in charge of the officers of the Science and Art Department, and there is a detachment of the Royal Engineers quartered at South Kensington Museum, consisting of a sergeant and 13 men, whose primary duty is to act as a fire brigade. There is also a police night watch engaged on behalf of the 1750 Science and Art Department to patrol the buildings during the night, and they are supplied with keys to enable them to pass into the National Portrait Gallery. The fire appliances are examined and reported upon daily, and there is a drill once a-week. There are at South Kensington Museum three resident officers in charge of the above arrangements, one of whom is always on the premises.