§ MR. DANIEL GRANTasked the Member for the London University, as one of the Trustees of the British Museum, Whether any decision has been taken with respect to lighting the Museum so as to enable it to remain open to the public until 10 o'clock every week day throughout the year, in accordance with the very numerously signed requisition which was forwarded to the Trustees at the close of last Session?
§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCKSir, the Trustees have, on various occasions, given the question of opening the British Museum in the evening their very anxious consideration. The immense value of the collection renders the danger of fire and other risks contingent on opening at night peculiarly serious. Moreover, they have been advised that the use of gas would be very injurious to many parts of the collection. The same objections, however, do not apply, or apply with much less force to the electric light, and, subject of course to security being taken for the safety of the building and its contents, and on satisfactory arrangements being made with reference to electric lighting in the district, the Trustees will be prepared to apply to Government for the funds necessary to enable them to open portions of the Museum in the evening. In doing so, they trust they will be acting in accordance with the wishes of Parliament.