HC Deb 03 July 1884 vol 289 cc1888-9
MR. J. R, YORKE (for Sir ROBERT PEEL)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in pursuance of the assurance that— The Royal Academy will frame documents, to be laid before the House, giving all the information, on every head, that has been given, whether in the form of a Parliamentary Return or in the forms given by the Royal Commission, the Motions for Returns relating to the Royal Academy can now be moved for unopposed, which, at the request of the First Lord of the Treasury, had been so frequently postponed?

MR. GLADSTONE

Yes, Sir; I am afraid I did not convey clearly enough to the right hon. Baronet that the authorities of the Royal Academy were perfectly willing that all the information which has, on more than one former occasion, been given to the House, should again be given, and they accordingly propose to do that by a spontaneous communication of their own to the Government. That being so, and it being remembered that the Royal Academy has a good deal of independence in its position, I do not think it would be desirable that it should be brought as a subordinate Department of the State under the direct control of this House. Still, the Royal Academy is prepared to show every consideration and courtesy to the House, and I hope the House will not think it necessary to pass orders to the Royal Academy for information which will be submitted to it in a manner more conformable to usage.

MR. J. R. YORKE

gave Notice that the right hon. Baronet would call attention to the subject on an early occasion.