§ MR. COOPEasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is prepared to take steps to extend the hours for the admission of the public to the National Gallery during the Summer months, and in accordance with the practice in Continental Galleries, on such days as have been heretofore confined to students; to admit students to copy on the six days of the week, and to make such arrangements for the cleaning of the Gallery as shall obviate the necessity of its being closed for five weeks in the Autumn; and, further, whether he will take measures for the extension of the buildings, either as designed by Mr. Barry or otherwise, in order to provide for the reception, as well of Works of Art already possessed by the Nation, as of such others as may be added to the National Collection by purchase, gift, or bequest?
§ MR. ADAM,in reply, said, that the First Commissioner of Works was not responsible, and could not make regulations for changing the rules already in existence. That power resided in the Trustees. He did not think that any complaint had ever yet been made as to the early hours of closing during the summer. He was informed, however, that the question would be considered by the Trustees, and that the real difficulty had reference to the limited staff placed at their disposal. No objection had been made by the public to the surrender of the Gallery for certain days in the week to students; and even on reserve days foreigners, artists, persons not residing in London, and all Members of Parliament were admitted. Large numbers of fresh applications had been made by artists, and the consequence was that the Gallery was crowded even on reserve days; so that if the public were admitted they would experience great difficulty of seeing the best pictures, and great danger to the latter might arise. This inconvenience was well known in foreign Galleries; and he did not think these were open, as a rule, so many hours as the National Gallery was. As regarded the closing of the Gallery altogether for five weeks in the year, October had been chosen as the most convenient month for cleansing it; and it should be borne 524 in mind that some leave of absence had to be granted to the staff. That, however, was a question for the Trustees, who did not desire that the Gallery should be closed more than was necessary. As to the extension of the building itself, it was one for financial consideration. At present it was not possible for the Government to give any undertaking as to what might be done.
§ MR. COOPEintimated that, in consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer just given, he would take the earliest opportunity of bringing the matter before the notice of the House.