THE ROYAL INSTITUTION

Motion Text

That this House notes the anonymous donor who provided £4.4 million towards the Royal Institution's (RI) debts and prevented the immediate sale of 21 Albemarle Street, which provided time to develop a new strategy for the RI; further notes that this was the workplace of Sir Humphry Davy and Michael Faraday and other leading British scientists; further notes that this is the place where 10 elements were discovered and where Michael Faraday first demonstrated the power of electricity; is concerned that the RI, which is a focus for children's first experience in science particularly with the Christmas lectures founded by Michael Faraday in 1825, may be lost; welcomes the fact that interest in science is on the increase among girls and boys; and calls on the Government to continue to ensure that the RI's legacy of Britain's contribution to science continues and remains in the building at 21 Albemarle Street as the place for discovery, innovation, inspiration and imagination.