§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether it is true, as stated in the public Press, that a competition is to be held for plans to complete the South Kensington Museum; and, if so, whether he will publish the conditions of the competition; and whether plans and models have already been prepared and paid for by the public, to complete the buildings in harmony with the large portion already erected; and whether these plans have been approved of by the Museum authorities?
§ DR. TANNERBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the question, I wish to know whether the competition is to 1153 be confined to the architects already selected, or will be open, as was the case of the Law Courts, to other plans sent in too late for the competition?
§ MR. PLUNKETIt is true that a limited competition has been invited for plans to complete the South Kensington Museum. Eight gentlemen have been so invited, four of them named by the Council of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and four by the Office of Works. It is also true that plans were prepared by the late General Scott and paid for as part of General Scott's official duties when he was Director of the Works at South Kensington. I believe that, so far as they went, they were approved of by the Science and Art Department; but these plans were never put forward in a completed state, nor were they ever approved of by the Office of Works. In answer to the hon. Member for Mid Cork, I am glad to say that one of the gentlemen named by me is a very distinguished Irish architect.
§ MR. BARTLEYHave the Museum Authorities been consulted in drawing up the conditions of the competition?
§ MR. PLUNKETI do not know whether they have been formally consulted; but I am quite sure the conditions will meet with their entire approval.