§ Mr. MARKHAMasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if the Government have decided to act upon the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Museums; and if it has been decided to appoint a standing commission for national museums and galleries?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEAs has been announced on a previous occasion, it is proposed to undertake all those services recommended as of immediate urgency in the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Museums. Work is already in progress, in accordance with the programme approved by Parliament in the annual Estimates.
The recommendations in the final report have been receiving the consideration of the various governing bodies and of the Treasury, but conclusions have not yet been arrived at on a number of points, including that referred to in the second part of the question. Provision has, however, been made in the 1930 Estimates for certain of the urgent services, including inter alia:
1504 - (1) Artificial lighting of the National and Tate Galleries.
- (2) Extension of the Herbarium at Kew.
- (3) Fire-proofing of the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
- (4) Evening opening at various museums and galleries.
- (5) A grant to the Central Library for Students.
- (6) Increased provision for the Public Record Office and the Science Museum Library.