§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposed transfer of the Imperial Institute to a Government Department will entail any financial charge on the Exchequer; and, if so, what will be its probable amount, and in what manner will the sanction of the House thereto be asked.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EX-CHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The proposed transfer of the Institute, together with its Endowment Fund valued at £140,000, to a Government Department, will entail no financial charge on the Exchequer, unless further duties not at present contemplated should be imposed on the Commercial Department of the Board of Trade.