HC Deb 11 May 1933 vol 277 cc1683-4
14. Marquess of HARTINGTON

asked the Home Secretary what is the annual cost of maintenance of the Home Office Industrial Museum in Horseferry Road; what are the rates paid thereon; and what is the estimated value of the building and site?

The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

The average annual cost of the maintenance of the building is £1,850, and £1,000 is provided in Class III of the Civil Esti- mates for the Home Office expenses in connection with the museum. A contribution of £531 in lieu of rates was made during last year. Owing to the special nature of the building, it is not possible to give an estimate of the value at short notice, but I may say that £21,518 was expended on the erection of the buildings as a charge against the provision, which was made for this purpose, by the Public Buildings Expenses Act, 1913. No estimate of the value of the site, which is held on a lease for 999 years from 1912, is available.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many people go each year to this house?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

There is another question on the Paper about that.

56. Marquess of HARTINGTON

asked the First Commissioner of Works what has been the average number of visitors per week, since 1st January, 1933, to the Home Office Industrial Museum in Horse-ferry Road?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have been asked to reply. The weekly average has been about 128.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Is there any means by which this most instructive and helpful institution can be given wider publicity, so that people may visit it in larger numbers?