§ MR. LODER (Brighton)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to a report recently made by Mr. W. F. Sherman on the danger from fire to which the National Gallery is exposed; and whether he can see his way to so amend the Bill dealing with the subject which he has introduced into the House, so as to include in it powers to secure a sufficient isolation of the Gallery to protect it effectually from all risk of destruction by fire.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS, Kent. St. Augustine's)Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to this opinion, and it is now under the consideration of my Department. With regard to the second paragraph of my hon. friend's question, I do not see my way to an extension of the provisions of the Bill which has this session been introduced.
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)When do the Government intend to make some reasonable attempt to pass the National Gallery Bill, which appears on the Orders of the Day?
§ MR. AKERS DOUGLASI shall be glad to take the first opportunity of passing it, but I cannot ask my right hon. friend to give it a first place.