§ 21. Mr. JAMES STUARTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether it is the intention of the Government that expenditure in future years on the National Library of Scotland should be limited to the amount of the revenue derived from the Endowment Fund?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)The answer is in the negative. As far as general financial conditions permit, His Majesty's Government, who have undertaken to maintain the Library, will be prepared in future years to invite Parliament to meet necessary charges in connection with the Library by the provision of funds to supplement the income from the present and any future endowment. I may point out that in the Estimates for the present year a sum of nearly£7,000 is provided from public funds in supplement of the endowment revenue. This sum represents the cost of maintenance services, as well as of necessary structural alterations and improvements mainly directed towards minimising the risk of fire.