HC Deb 26 June 1952 vol 502 cc2419-20
16. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to open Osterley Park, Middlesex, to the public.

Miss Horsbrugh

I cannot at present give any definite date; the opening of the house to the public will depend on the availability of the necessary additional staff.

Mr. Wyatt

Is the right hon. Lady aware that last night in the House the Financial Secreary said that the economies imposed by the Treasury did not require any museum or gallery to restrict any of its facilities to the public? As the house in question comes under the auspices of the Victoria and Albert Museum, will she contact the Director to ask how he proposes to keep up to the standards of efficiency and improvement which are required by the Financial Secretary in order to open this house, whose opening has been long delayed and was due in the summer, because the Financial Secretary says that it could be opened?

Miss Horsbrugh

As, no doubt, the hon. Member knows, this is an extension and would need an extra number of people to look after it. I have been in touch with the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum and it is up to him to arrange how the staff are employed in the different museums. I must leave it to him to see whether there is any staff that he could now supply for this extension. This is no cutting down, but an extension.

Mr. K. Robinson

Will the Minister take this opportunity of correcting a rather misleading impression in her written answer of a fortnight ago, in which she declined to sell Osterley Park? Will the right hon. Lady make it clear to the House that the park is not hers to sell, but belongs to the National Trust?

Miss Horsbrugh

The Question asked was whether I would sell, and my answer was, "No, Sir."

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

Are we to take it from the right hon. Lady's original answer that if the original staff had been made available she would raise no objection on financial grounds?

Miss Horsbrugh

The question of availability includes also the ability to pay for the staff.