§ MR. D. M'LARENasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will introduce into the Supplementary Estimates a Grant towards the completion of the Industrial National Museum for Scotland, for which no Building Grant has been made during the last six years, and the present time being peculiarly favourable, from the very low prices at which building contracts can now be obtained?
MR. GLADSTONEMy hon. Friend has in his Question asked whether the Government intend to introduce a certain matter into the Supplementary Estimates. The Question of my hon. Friend seems rather to presuppose that every year there will be a body of Supplementary Estimates presented, which I am sorry to say occasionally, from the necessity of the case, is apt to happen, but which, at the same time, never ought to be noticed without bearing in mind that all Supplementary Estimates are exceedingly adverse to Parliamentary control. On that account I am afraid I am unable to say that anything can be done in the nature of Supplementary Estimates with this subject during the present year. My hon. Friend is aware of, and I need not trouble the House with, the circumstances which completely account for the non-action—I will not call it the inaction—of the Government during the last few years. I do agree with my hon. Friend, to a considerable extent, that the season now before us may be a favourable one for re-considering the question; and in the winter, before the next Estimates are framed, it will be our duty to take it seriously into our consideration, and to determine whether we ought or ought not to make some proposal to Parliament.