§ MR. BIRRELL (Fifeshire, W.)I beg to ask the right hon. Member for the Montrose Burghs what course he proposes to take with respect to the British Museum Bill standing on the Orders for Second Reading this day.
§ MR. J. MORLEY (Montrose Burghs)I need not recall to the House the fact that was stated the other day from the Government bench—that this Bill was framed and introduced at the request of the Treasury, and that its introduction was made a condition precedent to their taking into consideration certain proposals made by the trustees for the extension of their buildings. The First Lord of the Treasury told the House—and he has 1352 since communicated the view to the Trustees—that this Bill is a Government measure, and that the Government are responsible for it. At the same time he says very fairly that he is unable to take any steps for pressing the Bill forward, or for helping me to do so, unless it be clear that the Bill is unopposed or non-contentious. I am afraid, from all the signs that one may read in the Parliamentary sky that it is by no means likely to be an unopposed measure, but that, on the contrary, it will give rise to a great deal of contention.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURHear, hear!
§ MR. J. MORLEYMy right hon. friend cheers that prophecy. I can only say that the evil to be remedied by this Bill is a very real one. We have found that the museum is obliged by law to receive, lodge, sort, and catalogue great quantities of printed matter which, in my opinion, no rational man would desire to preserve; and whatever course be taken by the Government in respect of this Bill the evil will one day or another have to be remedied, as the newspapers are increasing at a most formidable rate. But, seeing that the undertaking of the right hon. Gentleman is so qualified, I think I shall best do what I desire to do—that is, consult the convenience of the House—by not asking him to take up the time of the House in reading a second time a Bill with which there is practically no intention of proceeding. Therefore, I would propose to withdraw the Bill, in the expectation that Her Majesty's Government will, during the recess, consider the expediency of asking the House for a vote of £100,000, which, in addition to the £50,000 of bequest now in our hands, will enable us to provide storage for the newspapers and other matter for a period of thirty years. I repeat that the evil remains to be dealt with, and if any Member of the House is able to propose a method of dealing with the problem in a manner more satisfactory than that of the present Bill, the trustees, at all events, will offer no opposition.
MR. T. M. HEALYCould not the trustees find a little more storage room by giving us back our gold ornaments?