§ Captain W. BENNasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what has been the total cost for the year ended 31st March, 1922, of the Imperial War Museum, including staff, buildings, and maintenance; and whether it is proposed to continue this exhibition?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe total sum provided in the Estimates for the current financial year is £68,350, of which £22,970 is for staff and £27,680 for rent and maintenance, but it is not yet possible to state the actual expenditure. I may add that it is expected that the Estimates for 1922–23 will show a large reduction. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, though the Trustees of the Museum propose to curtail the number and scale of exhibits.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Government were making arrangements to acquire any particular building, and, if so, which, for the purpose of housing the Imperial War Museum in a more economical and accessible spot than the Crystal Palace?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is not proposed to acquire or to erect a building for the Imperial War Museum now housed at the Crystal Palace, the lease of which terminates in April, 1924. The Office of Works, however, has been enquiring into the possibility of housing the Museum in space shortly to be vacated by the Science Museum and in a portion of the galleries of the Imperial Institute. As soon as a decision is reached I propose to make an announcement to the House.