§ 82. Sir HENRY CRAIKasked whether it is proposed to remove the present exhibits in the Royal Naval Museum at Greenwich and to use the premises for other purposes?
35. Captain WILSONasked if orders have been given to dismantle the Royal Naval Museum at Greenwich; if so, where it is proposed to house the exhibits; and if he will take steps to preserve intact this collection in view of its historical interest?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe question is under consideration, but no final decision has been arrived at. If it be necessary to remove the exhibits from their present position, care will be taken to preserve so far as possible the main collection intact.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDHave they not already begun to remove them?
§ Mr. WALTER GUINNESSIs it not a fact that the cases in which these exhibits have been shown are already destroyed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe final decision with regard to the disposal of the collection has not yet been taken.
Mr. HAMILTON BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that there is any other place in the neighbourhood of London so suitable as Greenwich for these exhibits, having regard to the long and 42 close association of Greenwich with naval history?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am quite certain there is no other place in the possession of the Admiralty so suitable for a great naval exhibition as Greenwich.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINDoes the right hon. Gentleman contemplate the separation of the exhibits which have been in cases from the pictures which have hitherto hung with them in the hall, the whole of them making a great naval museum?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe exhibits are of a very different character to the pictures in the painted hall, which will be left intact in every respect; but the exhibits in the museum are not of artistic but instructional value. The question is being considered, not only with reference to the exhibits themselves, but also with reference to the integrity of the collection.