HC Deb 14 April 1896 vol 39 c883
MR. J. W. SIDEBOTHAM (Cheshire, Hyde)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether his attention has been called to the fact that a most interesting collection of old and curious musical instruments is offered for sale at Ghent; and, whether, seeing that the present collection at South Kensington is very incomplete, he will consider the advisability of utilising a portion of the amount provided in the Estimates for the purchase of works of art in securing a portion of the Ghent collection?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Sir JOHN GORST,) Cambridge University

The Committee of Council have already received information as to this sale; but they do not consider it advisable to make purchases there, in view of the already crowded state of the Museum and the wants of other branches.