§ MR. MASSEY-MAINWARINGI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to a memorial by a large number of artists and others to the Education Ministers, praying that the completion of the South Kensington Museum frontage may be commenced; and if so, whether he will endeavour to procure the necessary funds for this purpose from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThere is a Committee of the House investigating certain questions connected with the South Kensington Museum, and though it was quite true the primary object of that Committee is to deal with structural alterations or additions, I think we can hardly settle upon a plan dealing with the structure, seeing that it might require modification in consequence of the recommendations of that Committee.
§ MR. MUNDELLAasked the right hon. Gentleman whether, when he was last in office, plans were not called for by competition, a plan actually decided upon, and instructions given to proceed?
§ MR. G. C. T. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)inquired whether the late Chancellor of the Exchequer did not absolutely promise a grant to commence the building? ["Hear, hear."]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYsaid he must have notice of the Question put by the hon. Member for Islington. He was not acquainted with the facts the right hon. Gentleman had brought before them, but he would be surprised that the right hon. Gentleman's account was accurate, as during the three years he was in office nothing was done.