§ LORD SUDELEYMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the Question standing in my name—viz.: when they propose to re-establish the guide lecture system in Kew Gardens.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (LORD ERNLE)My Lords, I am strongly of opinion that an official guide ought to be part of the regular establishment of Kew Gardens. The educational facilities afforded there are quite unique, and advantage should be taken of them in the interests of the public. We have applied to the Treasury for sanction to appoint a gentleman who is, I hope, as competent as his predecessor, and as enthusiastic in the cause of botany. We hope that the Treasury will give us that sanction. If they do, we shall proceed to make the appointment. We shall give due advertisement of the fact that the guide is appointed and that parties can be taken round, and we hope that the success of the experiment—for it is still an experiment—will be such as will warrant its permanent continuance. In the past the noble Lord who asked the Question has interested himself in every phase of the movement, 398 and I am sure that we shall receive his assistance in making the new experiment as successful as, if not more successful than, the old.