§ MR. F. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the unique collection of books and manuscipts formed at Ashburnham Place will shortly be placed on the market for sale en bloc; and whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to endeavour to secure the same for the nation?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.I do not think that if I intended to authorise the purchase of this collection I should give public notice of it beforehand. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ MR. ISAACSONMay I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are a couple of manuscripts of great historic interest, which, if they leave this country, we may never have an opportunity of getting?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThat applies to any valuable collection. ["Hear, hear!"]