§ Mr. BARNESasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that after 5.30 p.m. no orders are accepted for books at the British Museum, consequently many students engaged in business in London are prevented from using the facilities which the library affords for research work; and will be undertake to make arrangements to extend the lending hours?
Mr. GRAHAMI am informed that at one time the reading room was kept open until 8 p.m. and subsequently until 7 p.m., but that the attendance of readers during these later hours was not, in the Trustees' opinion, large enough to justify the expense involved. So long as the reading room closes at 6, it appears reasonable to stipulate that orders for books should not be accepted after 5.30.