§ *(6.41.) COLONEL BRIDGEMAN (Bolton)I take the opportunity to direct attention to the hours at which the public are excluded from the British Museum. Yesterday I addressed a question to the Secretary to the Treasury whether the hours for closing the British Museum could not be made the same as those for the Natural History Museum, and the reply was that it could not be done without additional expense, and that this additional expense prevented the change being made. Four or five years ago I asked a similar question, and obtained a similar reply in regard to the Natural History Museum at South Kensington; but after one or two letters had passed between the Treasury and the authorities at South 212 Kensington, the additional time was granted and there was no additional expense for the extra time in February and March. All I ask is that the same time should be extended to the Museum in Bloomsbury. No doubt I shall have the same reply in regard to expense, but that ought, I think, to be infinitesimal for the extra half-hour. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will use his influence with the Trustees to get this extension for the public. I have been at the Museum in February and seen the people turned out into the streets by the police at four o'clock while an hour and a half of daylight remained, and I could not but think it hard that the people should not be permitted to enjoy their own Museum for a short time longer.
§ (6.45.) THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.My right hon. Friend cannot speak again, but he desires me to say that the Trustees of the British Museum have been consulted, and they see considerable difficulty in making the extension which would involve considerable extra expense. As a matter of fact the Museum is open longer than the other institution with which the hon. Member has compared it unfavourably. The matter, however, shall receive attention, and the Trustees shall again be referred to.