§ 18. Mr. Fletcherasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether as a result of the talks that have taken place at No. 10 Downing Street with the Archbishop of Canterbury, as Chairman of the Trustees of the British Museum, the Lord Chancellor, an ex-officio Trustee, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Works, he will announce the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to assisting the requirements of the British Museum for rebuilding and expansion.
§ Mr. BarberThe policy of Her Majesty's Government will continue to be to meet the agreed needs of the British Museum as rapidly as resources permit.
§ Mr. FletcherDoes the Economic Secretary realise that that reply will be regarded as very disappointing? Is he not aware that there is urgent need for the Trustees of the British Museum to be able to commence operations in connection with the proposed National Library on the site that has been designated for that purpose? Can we now have an assurance that those responsible, including the Minister of Works, will take the necessary steps to acquire the site in order that this much-needed expansion can begin?
§ Mr. BarberAs a result of the meeting to which the hon. Gentleman refers in his Question, it is proposed that discussions should take place between the Trustees and Government representatives covering, among other things, the timing of the various building and reconstruction works to which he refers.