HC Deb 02 November 1930 vol 134 cc218-9W
Sir W. DAVISON

asked the President of the. Board of Education whether the present Government or their predecessors had at any time incurred any legal or moral obligation to purchase the site at the rear of the British Museum from the Duke of Bedford; whether an agreement to purchase was ever actually entered into and subsequently rescinded on terms; whether this entanglement with the Duke of Bedford was the cause for the Government refusing any freedom of choice to the university with regard to a site and caused the restriction of the Government's offer to the site at the rear of the British Museum and no other; and whether the price at which the Duke of Bedford has agreed to accept can now be stated?

Mr FISHER

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the negative. The price which the Duke of Bedford and his trustees have agreed to accept is £425,000.