§ MR. HERBERT LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, whether he can say what is the amount of the substantial reduction made this year in the Vote for Purchases for Museums and Circulation (Class IV., Science and Art Department, F 1) alluded to in the memorandum just issued of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury; whether he can state what is the reason for this reduction; and, whether there is any evidence that the needs of the museums in London (including Bethnal Green), Edinburgh and Dublin in the matter of purchases, and of the provinces in reference to the circulation of objects when purchased, are becoming less at the present time?
§ SIR JOHN GORSTThe information asked for will be found in the Civil Service Estimates as soon as they are laid before Parliament, and the Government will be prepared to give the reasons for reduction when the Estimates are discussed. I do not think I should be in order in anticipating this discussion.
§ MR. HERBERT LEWISMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any evidence that the needs of the museums referred to in the Question are becoming less at the present time?
§ SIR J. GORSTI am afraid I am a little irregular in saying that there is such evidence, and the details of it will be laid before the Committee of Supply when the Estimates are discussed.