HC Deb 30 October 1884 vol 293 cc535-6
MR. COOPE

asked the First Commissioner of Works, What progress is being made in the buildings for the proposed extension of the National Gallery; and, whether the Government is prepared to take any, and, if so, what, steps in order to give further facilities for the admission of the public, and especially on week-day evenings?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

The new buildings of the National Gallery are making satisfactory progress, and are being pushed on as rapidly as possible. I hope they will be complete within the time originally named. With regard to the opening of the Galleries at night, the matter is not under my control. The responsibility rests in the Trustees of the National Gallery; and, as I stated last year, the Trustees, having regard to the preservation of the pictures, are not in favour of lighting the Gallery at night.

MR. COOPE

In consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to the latter part of my Question, I beg to give Notice that on the earliest opportunity I shall move— That, in the opinion of this House, every facility should be afforded to the public for visiting the great National Collections of the British Museum and the National Gallery, and that it is expedient that steps be taken without delay to give admission to the public on at least three week-day evenings in each week till 10 o'clock.