78. Mr. PERCY HARRISasked the President of the Board of Education at whose suggestion a British Industries Fair is being held at the Victoria and Albert Museum; whether the museum authorities approved of the proposal; whether the wisdom of introducing under present conditions so much inflammable material into a building containing national collections of inestimable value was considered; and whether the Metropolitan Fire Brigade have been consulted on the subject and every possible step taken to meet the increased risk of fire?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The British Industries Fair is being held at the Victoria and Albert Museum at the suggestion of the Board of Trade and with the cordial approval of the President of the Board of Education, who is responsible for the administration of the museum. Most careful consideration was given to the question of the risk of fire. As far as possible the temporary erections of the fair which have been introduced into the museum have been built of asbestos and the other parts have been rendered non-inflammable, and in every other possible direction precautions have been taken to guard against fire. The arrangements for the holding of the fair have been carried out by the Board of Trade in close consultation with the director of the museum, the Office of Works, and the London County Council Fire Brigade, who conducted their last examination of the arrangements so recently as the morning of Monday, the 21st instant.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSHave any of the collections of great national value been removed to a place of greater security?