HL Deb 20 November 1906 vol 167 cc1669-72

Order of the Day for the House to be put into Committee read.

Moved, "That the House do now resolve itself into Committee."—(Lord Hamilton of Dalzell.)

THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH

Before the House resolves itself into Committee I should like to ask a question about two matters in the Bill. So far as I recollect—and I have not been able to look it up to make quite certain, though I have no doubt the noble Lord will correct me if I am wrong—in the buildings occupied by the National Gallery for Scotland the Scottish Academy has the use of one gallery for three months in the

Divided:—Contents, 19; Not-Contents, 28

CONTENTS.
Crewe, E. (L. President.) Craven, E. Hamilton of Dalzell, L.
Haversham, L.
Ripon. M (L Privy Seal.) Denman, L. [Teller.] O'Hagan, L.
Elgin, L. (H. Elgin and Kincardine.) Overtoun, L.
Pirrie, L.
Argyll, B. Fitzmaurice, L. Ribblesdale, L.
Granard, L. (E. Granard.) [Teller.] Tweedmouth, L.
Beauchamp, E. Weardale, L.
Carrington, E. Grimthorpe, L.
NOT-CONTENTS.
Northumberland, D. Harrowby, E. Barrymore, L.
Wellington, D. Mar and Kellie, E. Belhaven and Stenton, L.
Plymouth, E. Braye, L.
Camden, M. Waldegrave, E. Clifford of Chudleigh, L.
Lansdowne, M. Clonbrock, L.
Salisbury, M. De Mauley, L.
Churchill, V. Lawrence, L.
Camperdown, E. [Teller.] Falkland, V North, L.
Cathcart, E. Ramsay, L. (E. Dalhousie.)
Dartrey, E. Addington, L. Sanderson, L.
Doncaster, E. (D. Buccleuch and Queensberry.) Avebury, L.
Balfour, L. [Teller.]

year, and one room, or possibly two rooms, all the year round as council room and office. I believe that this arrangement was made originally either by statute or, at any rate, with the consent of Parliament, and I would like to ask whether in this change of the constitution of the Board of Manufactures, which I gather is the main part of this Bill, and the establishment of this new Board of Trustees, any fresh arrangement has been made with the Royal Scottish Academy. The other question—I want to take this also briefly—relates to Clause 6, which, I notice, empowers the Board of Trustees to allocate out of the general fund of the Board of Manufactures such sums as may be prescribed: (a) towards the building and equipment of a School of Art in Edinburgh. As the Royal Scottish Academy is not mentioned in the Bill, I would like to ask the noble Lord whether he could tell me under whose control this School of Art would be. I do not suppose that the new Board of Trustees are going to establish and control a School of Art, but can the noble Lord tell me whether it is a new School of Art under the Royal Scottish Academy? I do not know whether he will be able to answer these questions, but I should be very much obliged if he could.

LORD HAMILTON OF DALZELL

As regards the first question, the building known as the National Gallery, which is now divided between the national collection of pictures and the Royal Scottish Academy, is to be handed over entirely to the national collection of pictures. The building known as the Royal Institution is to be given over to the Royal Scottish Academy. The School of Art, which is at present part of the Royal Institution, will be housed in a new building in the cattle market. Towards the fund of this building a contribution will be made by the Secretary for Scotland out of monies standing to the credit of the Board of Manufactures. I think £10,500 will be devoted to that purpose.

THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH

And it will be under the same control as it is at present?

LORD HAMILTON OF DALZELL

I understand so, jointly with the town council, who are finding the balance of the money, and I think £30,000 is voted by the Scottish Education Department. The Royal Society, which is at present housed in the Royal Institution, will have new premises provided for it in a building which is to be bought in George Street. I hope I have answered the points raised by the noble Earl.

THE EARL OF PLYMOUTH

I thank the noble Lord for his information. The only point I am not quite clear about is as to whose control the School of Art is under.

*LORD BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH

As I understand—for though I do not speak with authority I have been privy to a good deal of discussion going on—the School of Art will be under a mixed body. It cannot be under the control of the Board of Manufactures, who managed it before, because that body is abolished; but I understand it will be under a mixed body and that arrangements have been arrived at with a general concurrence in this matter. But as I understand the noble Lord is not going to take the final stage to-night, and if the noble Lord behind me is satisfied to leave it where it is, I am sure the noble Lord and myself will undertake to give him exact information.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly

Bill reported without Amendment: Standing Committee negatived; and Bill to be read 3a to-morrow.