§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)On behalf of the hon. Member for North-West Lanarkshire, I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works if he proposes to remove the buildings adjoining the south side of the Royal Scottish Museum, in order to provide for the safety of the museum against fire, in view of the fact that the iron shutters recently erected afford no more than a temporary method of dealing with this danger.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. HARCOURT,) Lancashire, RossendaleI regret that I am unable to give the hon. Member any pledge as regards the removal of the buildings adjoining the south side of the Royal Scottish Museum. Within the last five years two houses have been purchased and demolished on this side, because they constituted an imminent risk from fire. But the immediate danger having been removed, I am not prepared at present to suggest any further charge upon public funds.
§ LORD BALCARRESOn behalf of the hon. Member for North-West Lanark-shire, I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works, if the defects in the existing 82 system of heating and ventilating the Royal Scottish Museum will be entirely remedied during the forthcoming year.
§ MR. HARCOURTThe reply to this Question is in the affirmative.