§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)I beg to ask the honourable Member for the Thirsk Division of Yorkshire, as a Charity Commissioner, whether he is aware that the Society of Apothecaries has resolved that it can no longer maintain the Physic Garden at Chelsea; and whether, in view of this decision and in order to preserve this ancient garden, the Charity Commission would be willing to sanction its acquisition by the governing body of the City Parochial Charities, and its subsequent maintenance by them as a botanical garden?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY CHARITY COMMISSIONER (Mr. J. GRANT LAWSON,) Yorks., N.R., ThirskThe Society of Apothecaries, as trustees of the Physic Gardens at Chelsea, have applied to the Charity Commissioners for the establishment of a scheme for the future administration of the trusts regulating the garden, which is now maintained at the charge of their corporate funds, and they desire to be relieved from the trusteeship. The Commissioners have received from the trustees of the London Parochial Charities an offer to undertake the trusteeship of the garden, and to make provision for its maintenance for the purposes of botanical study, which appears to be sufficient for that purpose. The Commissioners accordingly propose to publish a scheme giving general effect to these proposals.