§ MR. JESSE COLLINGS (Birmingham, Bordesley)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education if it is the intention of the Government to reduce the grant-in-aid to provincial museums from £800 to £500 for the present financial year; and, if so, if he will state the reason for such reduction?
§ MR. ACLANDThe grant-in-aid to local museums, which was made to assist them in the purchase of casts and other reproductions, has been put this year at £500 instead of £800. On the other hand, the Purchase Vote for the museum and for circulation to local museums has been increased by £3,450. The £800 grant was not fully taken up last year, and it is believed that £500 will be sufficient to meet all demands. I hope the right hon. Gentleman will not think that I have any evil designs against Birmingham, for that city with one other last year absorbed six-sevenths of the grant, and in the year before two-thirds. I think there will be sufficient now for Birmingham.
§ MR. J. COLLINGSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the leading Local Authorities have made special arrangements this year to purchase specimens and original examples, a special opportunity having offered itself, and will he, by a Supplementary Estimate or by some other means, assist the Local Authorities in that respect?
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I wish to know whether the Government will refuse to give any more money for the purpose to Birmingham until Northampton has had some?
§ [The questions were not answered.]