39. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the hon. Member for Worcestershire (Bewdley Division) whether arrangements can now be made for the reading room at the British Museum to be open to readers on at least one evening in the week for the 2156 benefit of those whose work makes it impossible for them to use it during the day?
§ Mr. BALDWIN (Lord of the Treasury)The present arrangement under which the reading room is closed each day at dusk was introduced at the beginning of last year in order to reduce expenditure on lighting, heating, and attendance. As the hon. Member will realise, the need for economy is as imperative now as it was then, and the Treasury would not feel justified in authorising additional expenditure being incurred for the purpose suggested in the question.