HC Deb 24 January 1918 vol 101 cc1139-41
33. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the First Commissioner of Works under what authority and in what capacity he proposed to take possession of the British Museum for accommodating the Air Council, and when and at whose request Lord Rothermere agreed to reduce his demands for space so as to render the taking possession of the British Museum unnecessary?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)

As to the first part of the hon. Member's ques- tion, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave last week to the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark. I am not in a position to answer the latter part of the question, which should be addressed to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Air Council.

Mr. BUTCHER

By whose authority was this act done of seeking to take over the British Museum?

Sir A. MOND

The authority of the War Cabinet.

Mr. BUTCHER

Was it done under the Defence of the Realm Regulations?

Sir A. MOND

Had it been proceeded with, no doubt it would have been.

Mr. BUTCHER

Was it considered that it was necessary either for the public safety or for the defence of the Realm to commandeer the British Museum?

Sir A. MOND

So far as I know, that point was never considered. There was no occasion for it to be considered.

Mr. BUTCHER

Would it have been possible to commandeer the British Museum under the Defence of the Realm Act except for those reasons?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and learned Gentleman is not in Court.

34. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the various Acts of Parliament providing for the purchase of lands and the erection of buildings by the trustees of the British Museum, and for the vesting of such lands and buildings in the trustees for the use of the public; whether there is any ground for the statement that the building of the British Museum is a Government building, and is not vested in the trustees of the British Museum; and if there is any ground whether he will state it?

Sir A. MOND

Since my answer to the supplementary question of the hon. Member for Mid-Lanark my attention has been called to the various Acts of Parliament referred to by the hon. Member in this question, and I find that the building, as well as the contents, of the British Museum are vested in the trustees, but the property is administered by my Department in consultation with them. It was the latter fact which, for the moment, misled me into giving an incorrect reply, for which I express regret.

Mr. BUTCHER

Has the right hon. Gentleman anything to do with the British Museum except to keep the structure in repair? Has he any control over the works of art and other valuable articles in the museum?

Sir A. MOND

No. If the hon. and learned Gentleman reads my answer he will see that I do not say I have.