§ 22. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the section entitled subsidiary work in the Report on the Imperial Institute for 1911; whether he is aware that it is stated in that section that the Anglo-Russian Literary Society held a meeting at the Imperial Institute during the year; what Imperial work, subsidiary or otherwise, is done by the Anglo-Russian Literary Society; and, if no such work is done, will he say why permission was given to this society to hold its meeting at the Imperial Institute?
Mr. HARCOURTMy attention has been called to the passage in the Report to which the hon. Member refers. I am informed that in the early days of the existence of the Imperial Institute facilities were, as an act of courtesy, given to the society to hold periodical meetings in a room at the Institute. When the late Conservative Government took over the management of the Institute they did not think it necessary to interfere with the privilege.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWould the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question: What Imperial work is done by the Anglo-Russian Literary Society, and will he say why permission was given to this society to hold its meetings at the Imperial Institute?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEI will take your view.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this society does much valuable work in promoting the knowledge of the people in the language of Russia, and if this is not of great commercial advantage to the empire?