§ MR. BELLasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether it is true that part of the instruction formerly given at the Royal School of Mines in Jermyn Street has been transferred to South Kensington; whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to move the remainder of the school to South Kensington; and, if so, when; and, whether it was not declared by the Eight honourable W. E. Forster, on June 29th 1871, that no such removal as that referred to should be effected 149 without previously submitting the question to the judgment of the House of Commons?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSir, as much misconception seems to exist about what has been done to the Royal School of Mines in Jermyn Street, it would, perhaps, be as well if I were to state what has been done. Some years back the greater part of the instruction given at the School of Mines in Jermyn Street was transferred to South Kensington, where it was supplemented by laboratory and practical instruction, which could not be provided for in Jermyn Street. This removal was strongly advocated by the Commission upon Scientific Instruction, presided over by the Duke of Devonshire, and was also in accordance with the wishes of the Professors whose classes were so transferred. The only courses now remaining in Jermyn Street are those in metallurgy, mineralogy, and mining; and even with the addition of a hired house, and the location of the metallurgical laboratory outside the Museum, the space now occupied by the Museum and School of Mines in Jermyn Street is inadequate, and the arrangements in consequence far from convenient. We were last year informed by the Office of Woods and Forests that it was impossible, under any circumstances, to retain this house on the site upon which the metallurgical laboratory is beyond 1884; and as the immediate removal of the metallurgical class would give the additional space required inside the Museum, arrangements were made at once for this transfer. At present it is not our intention to move the remaining classes in Jermyn Street. I cannot find any answer by Mr. Forster in Hansard to the effect that the question of removal should be submitted to the House; but it seems to me clear that whatever answer was made in 1871 it referred only to the arrangements then in contemplation, and which were shortly afterwards carried out.