§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That a sum, not exceeding £65,630, be 658 granted to His Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1914, for Expenditure in respect of Art and Science Buildings, Great Britain." [Note—£40,000 has been voted on account.]
§ Mr. KINGA few items in this Vote seem to need some explanation. To me, as one who earnestly studies the question, they offer ground for certain doubt. For instance, there is £25,000 wanted for a new spirit building. What is a "spirit building?" I know what spirits are, but I did not know that the science of psychical research had proceeded so far that a building to cost £25,000 was wanted to accommodate the spirits. No doubt that will be explained. I notice that a corrugated iron shed is to be put up for taxidermists. I object altogether to corrugated iron buildings in the vicinity of South Kensington. I must protest against any more of these temporary, hideous, extravagant, and I might almost say useless buildings being put un in that vicinity. If this Vote is carried, I hope it will be the last of this kind of building. I suppose the taxidermists stuff the birds. I approve of the beautiful exhibitions, but I do not see why it is necessary to stuff them at South Kensington or in a hideous corrugated iron building. Why do we want pilot lights? What are they, and why need they be installed at a great expense of £600 in the Natural History Museum? I do not wish to move a reduction until I have heard some explanation of these items.
Mr. BENNI hope my hon. Friend will not find it necessary to move a reduction. I can explain the items, which are quite simple. The spirit building is a building for preserving specimens in spirits, and is naturally a very important part of the Natural History Museum work. We have had to put up a special building owing to the danger of fire. The accommodation for the taxidermists has also been decided upon because of the danger of fire. It has been thought desirable to spend £120 for building a shed to avoid the risk of fire to the rest of the museum.
Mr. BENNI am not sure; I think it covers the entire expense. As regards pilot lights, my hon. Friend may remember that there was a great strike caused in 659 Paris by the shutting off of the electric light. In order to preserve the lighting of the museums where specimens are housed, we have two systems, one of ordinary lighting and another of a different service, so that, if one is cut off, another is available, and the building is not likely to be endangered.
§ Mr. GRANTI notice that on new science buildings there is a large expenditure. Who is the architect who is to undertake the work? Is it done entirely by the Board of Works, or by some outside architect? Have the plans been put up to public competition? I think that encouragement should be given to talent in this country by means of public competition.
Mr. BENNI am not certain, but I think we are doing the work ourselves. I am sorry I have not the precise accurate information, but I shall be happy to supply it to the hon. Member.