HC Deb 08 March 1951 vol 485 c631
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

I have been asked by the Trustees of the British Museum to present a Petition, which they have annually to submit to this House, explaining the financial position and praying for aid. The Petition recites the funded income of the Trustees, and points out that the establishment is, necessarily, attended with an expense far beyond the annual production of the funds, and that the Trust cannot, with benefit to the public, be carried on without the aid of Parliament. It concludes with this Prayer: Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honourable House to grant them such further support towards enabling them to carry on the execution of the Trust reposed in them by Parliament, for the general benefit of learning and useful knowledge, as to your House shall seem meet."—[King's Recommendation signified.]

Petition referred to the Committee of Supply.