§ MR. WHITMOREI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Select Committee on Museums has found itself unable to inquire into the grievances of the attendants and messengers at the South Kensington Museum; whether their complaints of the unequal and inequitable operation of the principle upon which Her Majesty's Treasury have lately assessed their pensions are not supported by the official heads of their Department and by the Committee of Council on Education; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take steps to remedy the evils complained of?
§ MR. HANBURYPensions are awarded to the museum attendants and messengers in accordance with conditions laid down when they were admitted to super- 102 annuation in 1891. The acceptance of those conditions was purely voluntary. Representations as to their effect have from time to time been made to the Treasury, who have found no justification for disturbing the settlement which was arrived at after a discussion extending over several years.