§ SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON (Bradford, Central)I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of creating a Minister of Fine Arts, to be in charge either of a separate department with an expert advisory board or to hold the position in conjunction with other duties, such as those of the Chief Commissioner of Works.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fifeshire, E.I think that the duties to which my hon. friend refers, so far as the State can usefully undertake them, are adequately discharged by the First Commissioner of Works. The creation of a new office would, in my opinion, be of doubtful advantage, and would lead to an undoubted increase of expense.