§ MR. VICARY GIBBS (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury if he will consider the advisability of transferring from Somerset House to the Record Office ancient wills which possess only a literary interest, in view of the lack of facilities offered for research in their present situation.
(Answered by Mr. Elliot.) I am informed that, in view of the terms of Section 66 of the Probate Act of 1857, legislation would be necessary in order to carry out the transfer of such wills to the Record Office; and, after communication with the President of the Probate Division, I do not think that any serious inconvenience is caused to literary searchers by the present arrangements.