HC Deb 18 March 1920 vol 126 cc2385-6
70 Sir J. BUTCHER

asked the President of the Board of Education (1) whether he is aware that large portions of the Victoria and Albert Museum are, and have since June, 1917, been, appropriated by certain of the staff of the Education Department and have been closed to the public; whether the portions so appropriated include the galleries and rooms specially assigned for samples and designs of metal work, wood work, textiles, and also a portion of the library; whether, in order to accommodate this staff of the Education Department and their papers, the exhibits usually shown in the appropriated rooms and galleries have had to be removed to the vaults or elsewhere where they are inaccessible to the public; whether he will state by whom and under what authority, statutory or otherwise, this appropriation was made, and when the Museum will be restored to its proper uses;

(2) Whether the Victoria and Albert Museum was founded primarily for the purpose of providing models for and aiding the improvement of manufactures connected with decorative designs, such as metal work, textiles, woodwork, furniture, leatherwork, and other goods, and contains valuable and almost unique collections of models and designs, and also a library; whether the site and buildings of this museum were paid for mainly out of moneys provided by Parliament for housing these; collections and rendering them available to manufacturers and others, and thereby helping the traders and manufacturers of this country; whether these collections have been extensively used by designers and manufacturers to the great advantage of the trade of this country; and whether the closing of large portions of this museum to the public is detrimental to our trade?

Mr. FISHER

The occupation of the portions of the Victoria and Albert Museum, to which the hon. Baronet refers, was the result of a decision of the Cabinet, the necessity for which I regret as much as the hon. Member. I hope that the occupied galleries will be set free during April. Generally speaking, the answers to the remaining parts of the two questions are in the affirmative.

Sir J. BUTCHER

By whose authority was this done?

Mr. FISHER

That of the Cabinet.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Under what Regulations, because these galleries are supposed to be open to the public?

Mr. FISHER

The Defence of the Realm Regulations.