HC Deb 01 March 1920 vol 126 cc27-8
71. Sir JOHN BUTCHER

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of hotels, public institutions, town halls, and other public buildings respectively, which, having been requisitioned during the war, have been released since the Armistice, and the reason why important portions of the British Museum still occupied by the Registry of Friendly Societies have not been already released and rendered available for the use of students and of the public?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir A. Mond)

Of the 18 hotels and 24 public buildings which were requisitioned for the accommodation of office staffs, 10 of the former and 17 of the latter have been released. It has unfortunately been necessary to retain the Registry of Friendly Societies at the British Museum, owing to the difficulty of obtaining suitable alternative accommodation, but, as I informed the hon. and learned Member on the 23rd ultimo, the Museum will be completely vacated by the Government staffs now in occupation by Easter next.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Why, instead of releasing some of these hotels, was the British Museum not released earlier, and thereby great public advantage incurred?

Sir A. MOND

I cannot catch what the hon. Gentleman says.

Sir J. BUTCHER

I want to know why it was not decided to free the British Museum and retain some of these hotels, which are nothing like the same importance to the public?

Sir A. MOND

Over 85 per cent. of the British Museum has been freed for a long time, and a very small staff left, occupying only a small portion of the Museum. For these I have long been trying to find accommodation. It would be very uneconomical to keep a large hotel in order to house a small staff.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Are not the Assyrian and Egyptian galleries, the print collections and a few of the Roman and Greek rooms kept occupied and the public refused admittance?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOARE

Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform me in December that the British Museum would be entirely evacuated within two months?

Sir A. MOND

I have been endeavouring to bring about entire evacuation, and hope in a few days to achieve it.

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Would the right hon. Gentleman persuade the trustees to open the print-room to the general public and not merely on days for students?

Sir A. MOND

I am afraid I have no control over the trustees.