§ Mr. GRANTasked the President of the Board of Education whether the question of the destruction of the majolica columns in the Old Ceramic Gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum was referred for their opinion and advice to the Advisory Council of Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe Advisory Council of the museum, in considering sites for the permanent exhibition of the Jones Collection, had before them the Report of the Committee which I appointed to advise me (inter alia) as to the treatment of the columns, and expressed an opinion in favour of their removal if structurally possible.
§ Mr. GRANTasked the President of the Board of Education if lie is aware that the majolica columns in the central refreshment room at the Victoria and Albert Museum are coloured brown, yellow, and white with broad encircling bands of dancing figures and garlands, designed by the late Francis Gamble, and that the majolica columns in the museum which have recently been destroyed were in tints of grey and white with broad encircling bands of figures and letters, designed by the late Godfrey Sykes; and whether, in view of this important difference, students desiring to study this latter class of work will be afforded any opportunities for doing so?
§ Mr. PEASEExamples of the lettering designed by Godfrey Sykes surrounding1784W the columns in the Old Ceramic Gallery have been preserved, and are available for any students desiring to study them. This class of work can also be studied in the refreshment room, where there is a frieze consisting of letters, also from the designs of Godfrey Sykes, most of which are identical with the letters which surrounded the columns referred to. The designs themselves may be seen on application to the Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design.