§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any further progress has been made in the negotiations with Mr. Henry Tate for the establishment of a Gallery of British Art; and whether, if Mr. Tate has finally declined to accept any site at South Kensington, the Government will consider the adaptability for this purpose of the alternative sites that have been suggested, at the back of the National Gallery, at Whitehall, and at Millbank?
§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman at the same time to say if he has had any communication from the London County Council on the subject?
§ MR. GOSCHENReplying to the last question first, I have not had any communication from the London County Council, but I have had an indirect feeler which I think proceeded from that quarter. No negotiations are in progress with Mr. Tate for the establishment of a Gallery of British Art. Mr. Tate has withdrawn his offer. With regard to the second part of my hon. Friend's question, the site at the back of the National Gallery has, I will not say been bespoken, but, at all events, been earnestly claimed by the Trustees of the National Gallery for the expansion of that institution, and I should not be prepared to make any statement as to the site at Whitehall or at Millbank.