§ SIR HENRY HOWORTH (Salford, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether a sum of £10,000 was originally put down in the Estimates of the current year for the purpose of continuing the Exhibition buildings at South Kensington, and was struck out by the Treasury; and, if so, on what grounds; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed at an early date with the buildings for which plans have been long prepared, and which are urgently needed for the accommodation and proper exhibition of the valuable collections in the Museum?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. R. W. HANBURY,) PrestonThe proposal to which I assume my hon. Friend refers was to submit an estimate of £10,000, as a first instalment of £97,000, for providing, not exhibition rooms, as he seems to suppose, but offices, a students' court, and an unpacking yard. This scheme, was postponed by the late Government on the ground of want of funds, and by the present Government for the additional reason that the question of offices in connection with the educational side of the Science and Art Department is materially affected by the proposals of the Education Bill which is now before the House.
§ In answer to a further question by Mr. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.).
§ MR. HANBURYsaid: A broad distinction ought to be drawn between the museum and the educational offices. The proposal that came before us referred principally to the educational offices.