§ MR. D. GRANTasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he can arrange that the National Gallery be thrown open to the public every weekday throughout the year?
§ MR. ADAMSir, since the Question put to me on Thursday last by the hon. Member for Middlesex (Mr. Coope), I have been in further communication with the Trustees of the National Gallery, through Mr. Burton, the Director. They are now considering the question how to accommodate the public as far as possible without unduly interfering with the usefulness of the Gallery as a place for art education. In these circumstances, I should be much obliged if my hon. Friend would repeat his Question at some future time, when I shall be prepared to state the decision at which the 784 Trustees have arrived. I may add that, as First Commissioner of Works, I have no power to alter or amend regulations regarding the National Gallery; and, further, I may state that the Trustees wish it to be known that they have no special desire to close the Gallery in October if the staff at their disposal were sufficient to enable them to keep it open, and this matter will receive the careful consideration of the Government.