Typed Letter Signed to Sir Harry Lindsay, Chairman of the Council of thte Royal Society of Arts, together with unsigned carbon copy of letter to which it is replying.

Monteath (1887-1961) was Under-Secretary of State for India and for Burma, 1941-7. Both items are lightly creased and dusty, but in good condition. CARBON COPY (one page, quarto): Lindsay writes that at the previous day's meeting of the R.S.A. Council Sir Frank Brown 'summarised the correspondence which he had with you on the subject of the future of the India Office Library, Records, pictures, furniture etc.' The Council 'recognised at once the great importance of retaining in this country the India Office Records and the very important collection of books in the Library, which is, as Sir Frank points out in his letter, the largest specialised oriental library in existence.' The Council agrees that 'the European portraits should remain in this country bt that some or all of the Indian portraits might suitably be transferred to India or Pakistan', and that 'the India Office building should continue to be used for purposes closely related to India and Burma'. Ends on question of 'the establishment of an Oriental Centre in London'. LETTER (one page, octavo, signed 'D. T. Monteath' and docketed in pencil): Acknowledges the letter and apologises 'for the fact that no invitation was sent direct to the Royal Society of Arts to record its views on these questions'. He is grateful 'that when the matter was brought to the attention of the Council, it should have been so good as to furnish its views.' Lindsay's letter will be 'laid before the Committee discussing these matters when it meets.'