HC Deb 03 November 1908 vol 195 cc989-90
MR. RENDALL (Gloucestershire, Thornbury)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Education whether he has seen the collection illustrative of British education in all its phases at the Franco-British Exhibition; and whether he will take any steps to preserve it in some form as a nucleus of a permanent educational exhibit.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (Mr. TREVELYAN,) Yorkshire, W.R., Elland

The President of the Board of Education has visited the exhibition several times, and is glad to think that the exhibition must have afforded much stimulus to local education authorities and others. The suggestion that the collection should be taken over by the Government as a permanent exhibit has been under careful consideration. It raises, however, several serious difficulties, and in particular that the Government have no space at their disposal or in prospect which would suffice for any substantial portion of the exhibits. I may add that the possibility of making a few selections from particular sections of the exhibition for permanent preservation is still being considered by the Board.

MR. RENDALL

If space is provided by a private donor will the Government undertake the annual cost of maintenance?

MR. TREVELYAN

Such an offer would, of course, be considered.