HC Deb 05 May 1898 vol 57 c389
MR. C. A. WHITMORE (Chelsea)

I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education whether he is aware of the complaints which have been made by the attendants and messengers at the South Kensington Museum against the unequal operation of the principle on which Her Majesty's Treasury have lately assessed their pensions; whether these complaints have been supported by the official heads of that Department; whether their justice has been admitted by the Committee of Council on Education; and whether, under these circumstances, it is practicable that the grievances of these civil servants shall be referred for inquiry and report to the Select Committee which is now sitting on the Museums of the Science and Art Department?

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON EDUCATION (Sir J. GORST,) Cambridge University

Complaints have been made by the attendants and messengers at the South Kensington Museum as to the assessment of their pensions. These complaints have been forwarded by the Committee of Council to the proper quarter. It is not within their province to determine the principles upon which pensions shall be assessed. The question whether the Select Committee on Museums now sitting should inquire into and report upon this matter is one which the Committee itself should, in the first instance, determine.