§ 45. Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that recently a new municipal gallery of art was opened at Charlemont House, Dublin, by the Lord Mayor of that city, that it includes a room specially intended for the accommodation of the 39 paintings which the late Sir Hugh Lane in his will left to the National Gallery, London, but proposed subsequently in a signed but unwitnessed codicil to bequeath to Dublin, and that the provision of this gallery fulfils the desire expressed by Sir Hugh Lane; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable the trustees of the National Gallery, as an act of grace, to make Ai gift of these pictures to the Dublin municipal gallery of art?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I am aware of the facts referred to in the first two parts of the question. As to the last part, the matter has recently been reviewed but no circumstances which have arisen since the announcement in the House of Commons on the 5th July, 1926, of the then 2225 Government's acceptance of the conclusion of the Special Committee of Inquiry justify my holding out any hope of legislation in the sense suggested.
§ Sir M. WOODDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this would be an admirable opportunity for a gesture of good will towards Ireland?