§ 28. Mr. Woodhouseasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the continued difficulty which 189 research workers using the British Museum experience as a result of the closing of the Reading Room at 5 p.m., which excludes a high proportion of intending researchers from using its resources at all; and if he will consider lengthening or otherwise adjusting the working hours so as to make its resources available to those who can work only there in the evening.
Mr. AmoryThe hours of opening of the Reading Room are a matter for the British Museum trustees, who I understand have this question under consideration.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a matter which I repeatedly pressed on Treasury Ministers in the last Parliament as a very urgent matter indeed? Is it not a fact that the British Museum has for long been starved of the sort of funds which would enable it to give a proper service to the public? Cannot the Chancellor do rather better than that somewhat disappointing reply?
Mr. AmoryI did not intend my reply to be disappointing—I did not want to add to it. The responsibility lies with the trustees. I will add this, that I will give sympathetic consideration to any proposals which the trustees care to make to me on this individual point. I do not want to be drawn wider in reply to this important question.