§ MR. RITCHIEasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether his attention has been called to the blistering of several of the paintings in the new rooms of the National Gallery; and, whether he can state the cause, and what steps are being taken to prevent further injury?
§ MR. GERARD NOELSir, during the recent severe frosts considerable difficulty was experienced in maintaining an even temperature in the large rooms in the building, and perhaps on one or two occasions the heating apparatus was rather overheated, so that 526 the hot air admitted through the gratings might have caused the blistering alluded to; but I am informed that this is a damage to which old pictures or panels are specially liable in all galleries, owing to the material being subject to expansion and contraction. The gratings have now been removed and placed elsewhere, and I am happy to inform my hon. Friend that Mr. Burton, the Director of the National Gallery, considers that the damage done to the pictures is not irreparable.