§ 56. Mr. ELLIS SMITHasked the. Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will call the attention of all concerned to the Industrial Museum; arrange for the building to be open to suit the convenience of all people; and encourage the visiting of delegations of workpeople from all parts of the country?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)A great variety of steps have been taken with the co-operation of unofficial associations and individuals to bring the museum to the notice of persons concerned and to encourage visits by workpeople. The staff keep a lookout for further opportunities of doing so and we should welcome the co-operation of Members of the House in the matter. I am glad to say that the number of visits to the museum has been rapidly increasing. The museum is open every weekday from 10 to 4, and special arrangements are made when necessary for visits to see the museum outside the usual hours.
§ 57. Mr. SMITHasked the Home Secretary whether he will arrange for an exhibition to be held in Stoke-on-Trent of the section in the Industrial Museum that deals with silicosis?
§ Mr. LLOYDMy right hon. Friend is fully alive to the advantages of local exhibitions, but he is doubtful whether the hon. Member's object would be best attained in the way he suggests. I am advised that the section in question, though it contains of course some exhibits dealing with silicosis and the potteries, is designed to afford a general illustration of the conditions giving rise to silicosis and the precautions to be observed, and would not be specially appropriate at Stoke. As the hon. Member is aware, the Home Office arranged for a special exhibition some years ago in connection with the Wedgwood BiCentenary Exhibition, and it would probably be more useful to arrange for some similar exhibition at Stoke at the first suitable opportunity.