§ MR. COOPEasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether he is aware that the Electric Light has been used in the South Kensington and Jermyn Street Museums for upwards of two years, without any accident occurring; whether he is aware that a code of regulations has been adopted jointly by the Electric Lighting Companies and the Fire Insurance Offices, and approved of by his Department, whereby the risk of fire is reduced to a minimum, and no extra charge for insurance is made for electrically lighted buildings where these regulations are in force; whether there is absolute danger of fire to the National Gallery, arising from the proximity of 757 the old workhouse in St. Martin's in the Fields, now used by the Admiralty as a receptacle for disused stores; and, whether he is prepared to take measures whereby the National Gallery and the British Museum may be lighted by electricity, and thus be made available for at least three evenings in the week for the improvement and enjoyment of the working classes and others who are prevented by their avocations from visiting our grand national collections during the day?
§ MR. SHAW LEFEVRESir, I am quite ready to admit all the premises of the hon. Member's Question, except the danger to the National Gallery from the workhouse at its rear, which has no foundation whatever. I still remain of opinion, however, that we have not had sufficient experience of the electric light to justify me in advising the Trustees to use it in the National Gallery, even if they did not entertain other grave objections to opening those Galleries at night.