Mr. DOYLEasked the First Commissioner of Works when the Crystal Palace will be released for the use of the public; and if it is intended, when so released, to leave it in as good a condition for exhibition and other civilian purposes as when it was originally taken over?
§ Sir A. MONDAs regards the original taking and any reinstatement in connection therewith, the question should be addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty, but I am informed that the Admiralty surrendered the Palace to the Trustees in December last. My Department is concerned only in that, on behalf of the Imperial War Museum, it has entered into an agreement to hire a portion of the Palace for four years from the 1st April next, the liability for repairs under the agreement being with the Crystal Palace Trustees.