§ SIR HENRY ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what addition it is proposed to make to the staff of the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, in order to assist the Astronomer Royal and Chief Assistant in the general superintendence of the work of the Observatory, which has so greatly increased of late years in every branch; and whether this addition is on the lines recommended by the 1294 Board of Visitors of the Observatory, who are the scientific advisers of the Government in the matter?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN, St. George's, Hanover Square)One first and one second class assistant were added at the end of last year to the staff of the Royal Observatory, that is to say, the same number of additional officers as the Board of Visitors recommended, the difference being that the Board of Visitors suggested a deputy chief assistant and a first-class assistant instead of two assistants.
§ SIR H. ROSCOEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Board have entered a strong protest against the present arrangement, and, in view of that expression of opinion, is it proposed to re-consider the matter?
§ MR. GOSCHENI have not seen the protest to which the hon. Member refers, but the matter was considered in November, and the conclusion arrived at was that the staff was sufficient.