§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position, as a result of inquiry, to state whether it would be possible for the British Museum to house provincial newspapers at some point nearer to the centre than Hendon; and, if not, whether a reading-room can be provided at Hendon for the use of readers who wish to go out there and consult the files immediately instead of waiting several days for the volumes to be brought in to the British Museum?
Mr. SAMUELIt is impracticable on grounds of cost to provide more central accommodation for provincial newspapers. With regard to the second part of the question, the provision of a reading-room at Hendon was among the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Museums and Galleries which have been accepted by the Government, and provision for beginning the work has been included in the Estimates for the current financial year.