§ 34. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the importance of freeing the remaining rooms of the National Gallery for the exhibition of pictures, he will arrange for the accommodation of the Government officials now occupying the National Gallery in the large lake-dwelling in St. James's Park now used exclusively as a canteen for members for the Ministry of Shipping; and whether, in view of the fact that restaurants can now provide adequately for the public, this and other can teens can now be dispensed with and the canteens turned into offices?
§ Sir A. MONDI fear that the suggestion made by the hon. Member is impracticable, as public restaurants alone do not afford sufficient facilities for the large numbers of Government staffs employed in Westminster. I am, however, now-taking steps which I hope will enable mo to release the remainder of the National Gallery in the near future.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREIs it not a fact that the Ministry of Shipping is going to be very much reduced in the course of a month or two, and, if so, cannot this canteen be dispensed with at an early date?
§ Sir A. MONDI cannot say how soon the Ministry of Shipping will be reduced. Other Departments are occupying part of the premises. The canteen, I believe, is used by other Departments.