§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether two pictures in the National Portrait Gallery have recently been wilfully injured; and whether, considering that there are only 10 attendants for the 33 rooms, and only one constable for the entire building, and that similar damage is likely to recur, steps can be taken to secure better protection for the pictures by appointing an adequate staff of attendants and police?
§ MR. HANBURYThe answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. I understand that during the hours when the gallery is open to the public there are in attendance ten attendants, called curators, and three constables. The question whether this force is sufficient to safeguard the pictures is now engaging the attention of the Treasury.