§ MR. ALBERT GREYasked the Right honourable Member for the University of Cambridge, Whether, considering the success that has attended the electric lighting of the Reading Room of the British Museum, the Trustees have considered the expediency of extending the hours of opening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; and, if so, whether they have made application to the Treasury for provision to meet the increased expense?
§ MR. SPENCER WALPOLESir, the Trustees of the British Museum have not had under consideration the extension of the hours of opening the Reading Room from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and, therefore, they have not made application to the Treasury for provision to meet the increased expense. At the same time, it 361 is right to state that since this Question has been put on the Paper I have made inquiries about it, and I am informed that such a proposal as the one referred to could not be adequately carried into effect without lighting all the rooms connected with the Library as Well as the Reading-Room; and the question would then arise as to whether this could be adequately accomplished until better provision is made for dividing and distributing the light than is practicable according to the apparatus now used.