The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-18 00:00:00

THE CHAPTER HOUSE.

Sir. S. NORTHCOTE asked the First Commissioner of
Works whether it would not be possible to give the public
greater facilities for visiting the Chapter House at West-
minster than they at present enjoyed?
Mr. W. COWPER said the Chapter House had been
closed since the records were removed from it. It was
not open to the public, but it could be seen by any person
desirous of doing so by applying at the office of the Board
of Works.
notM bog ven.
Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked whether greater facility could
expense, but .beut°hWPe wEoußldsaciodnssiudeehr athperomeeatetdeir,ng would lead to
THE BRIT
this session, and
.
MUSEUM.
Mr. A. SMITH asked thelSCHhancellor of the Exchequer
whether any bill was to be introduced
such bill ought
sheinerecuorretiodn in
pwarthen,offtohrethßeriretismhomvaulsoouf
Museum
a; rnd collections now forming
whether
the preparation of plans
and
not to be introduced
estimatesbefornedan
buildings to which the said collections were to be trans-
ferredexpensefor ?
The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER said the in-
troduction of the bill must necessarily depend_ on the time
the estimates were produced. The inr?duction of the bill
before the estimates, as was the case in 1862, would be
found inconvenient, and, therefore, it would not be re-
peated. He thought it better that the discussion should
first take place when the estimates were submitted,
Mr. H. SEYMOUR asked when the estimates would be
produced.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in reply,
said the moment the matters between the Board of Works
and the trustees of the Museum were settled.
THE CASE OF MR. BETHELL.
Mr. FERRAND asked the Attorney-General to inform
the house by whose authority the written statement was
prepared from which, on Monday last, h
to the questions relating to the Bankruptcy s
y read
Court
a t Lr %Fedi ess,
and whether he would lay it upon the table of the house ;
also, whether he would lay upon the table the letter of
Mr. Welch, tho registrar, which he read to the house on
Tuesday last, to complete his previous statement, as well
as the letter of the Hon. Richard Bothell, confirming the
same ?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he felt certain that
such an extraordinary question had never been heard in
that house. (Hear, hear.) When he saw the hon. gentle-
man's former questions on the, paper, he felt it to be hie
duty to obtain the best and most authentic information
4,114 to givo it to tlus houso ou PWU

good faith and responsibility. The memoranda h?
had collected in the course of that duty was not, and
could not, be considered public property ; and, therefore,
he should boldly refuse to produce it. (Hear, hear.)
The letters he had read last night were also
not public documents, but if, between man and
man, the hon. gentleman wished to see them, he could do
so. The other letter for Mr. Bethell he could see as a gen-
tleman, but he distinctly, and on his own responsibility,
should object to produce them. (Hear, hear.)
Lord R. CECIL asked the Speaker whether letters quoted
by a Minister of the CroWn in the course of his speech
ought not to be produced if desired.
The SPEAKER said the Attorney-General was not
bound to produce the papers referred to. (Hear, hear.)