§ MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in view of the successful working in past years of Grants in Aid to Provincial Museums for the purchase of objects of Art, and the great encouragement to the formation and maintenance of Local Museums thereby afforded, he will give an assurance that these grants, which were discontinued in 1887, shall be renewed at the earliest possible time?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)I will consider 630 whether anything can be done to meet the views of my hon. Friend; and I hope that such economies may be possible on other items of the Science and Art Vote as to enable us to propose a grant for the purpose which he has at heart. Of course, a great deal will depend upon the readiness of the localities to meet the Government half-way, and more than half-way, in the matter by local contributions.