§ MR. C. A. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Director of the National Gallery for 1894, in which he insists upon the urgent necessity for the removal of the barracks adjoining the National Gallery, because of the possible danger of fire, and suggests that, pending their promised removal, a further extension of the Gallery to the westward might be made to give some much-needed additional space for the national collections; and, whether he is taking any steps to give effect to this recommendation?
§ *MR HERBERT GLADSTONEMy attention has been called to the Report of the Director of the National Gallery for 1894. I have no doubt that 1036 every effort will be made by the authorities of the War Department to push on the new buildings at Millbank as soon as they enter into possession of the site, so as to allow for the removal of the barracks adjoining the National Gallery at the earliest possible date. Apart from the question as to whether a portion of the barrack-yard could be spared for an immediate and small extension of the National Gallery westwards, I am strongly of the opinion that it would be inconvenient and undesirable to carry out the extension in a piecemeal fashion. The designs for a more complete building can be prepared in 1897, so as to be in readiness for beginning its construction in the following year should funds be available.