MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS. (Hansard, 11 July 1871)

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
, on rising to move an Address to Her Majesty relative to the proposed transfer of the Royal School of Mines to South Kensington, said, he believed there had been a recommendation on the part of the Science Commission, at the head of which 1413 the Duke of Devonshire sat, in favour of the removal of the Royal School of Mines to that bourne to which all scientific institutions seemed destined to be transferred—namely, South Kensington. This common lot of scientific humanity had drawn a terrible shriek of despair from the officers of the Royal School of Mines. He believed the recommendation, though favoured by one party of eminent scientific men, had strongly roused the feelings of other men of great scientific eminence in opposition to it. The school had done very good service. A large number of persons desired to pursue their studies in that direction. He thought the Government ought not to sanction a transference of the school without giving, not only to Parliament but to the public, who specially took an interest in this question, an opportunity of thoroughly discussing the proposal.

§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPON
said, the Report referred to by the noble Marquess was only preliminary, and he had reason to believe that the Science Commission would very shortly make another Report. The letter of which the noble Marquess had spoken was referred to the Commission for their consideration. That letter, together with other public documents, would be presented with the Report of the Commission. Under these circumstances, he hoped the noble Marquess would not press his Motion.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
On the understanding that no action shall be taken until these papers are produced?

§ THE MARQUESS OF RIPON
Certainly.

§ EARL STANHOPE
said, the Government would, perhaps, give some information as to the new building.

§ EARL GRANVILLE
said, the noble Earl should have given Notice of the Question.

§ THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE
said, the terms of the Report had been fully considered and agreed to by all the members of the Commission. He understood that only three officers of the School of Mines objected to the removal, 1414 and that the shriek of despair described by the noble Marquess had not been heard within the institution. The recommendation of the Commission for the removal to South Kensington was not founded on any reason of preference for that locality, but because sufficient space and accommodation could be found there. There was not sufficient space and accommodation in the present building to carry on the School of Mines satisfactorily.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY
replied, that when he saw the letter he would be able to judge of the censure which the noble Lord had passed upon him.