HC Deb 01 August 1854 vol 135 cc1094-5
MR. DANBY SEYMOUR

said, he wished to ask whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to build a new gallery for the national collection of pictures; and, if so, whether the plans and designs for this gallery would be open to public competition, as in the case of the new Palace at Westminster; and whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take measures to collect the whole of the ancient pictures belonging to the nation, such as the Minden Gallery, and others recently purchased, into the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square; and whether this desirable object could be properly effected without giving notice to the Royal Academy that the apartments hitherto lent them would be required for the public service.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he believed it had been already stated in general terms by his noble Friend (Lord John Russell) that it was the intention of the Government to propose to Parliament to give them the means of building a new gallery for the national collection of pictures. With respect to the question as to whether the plans for this gallery would be open to public competition, the arrangement had not advanced so for with the consideration of the question as to enable him to answer that part of the hon. Gentlemen's inquiry. With reference to the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take measures to collect the whole of the ancient pictures recently purchased into the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, he was not able to give a very definite answer upon that subject. The pictures comprised in the Minden Gallery had been delayed for several weeks, on account of some misunderstanding connected with the persons sent to pack them, and they hail not arrived a very long time in this country. At present, those pictures were deposited in one of the rooms in the basement of the National Gallery. He was not sure of the precise number, but it was somewhere abort sixty. It was not intended that the whole of these pictures should he placed in the National Gallery, nor were they all worth being so placed; and the first question, therefore, was how many of these pictures were fit to become part of the national collection? That question was not yet decided, and the delay was owing to the suspended state of the question with regard to the management of the National Gallery, which had been under the consideration of the Government. Mr. Dyee, however, who himself went over to inspect this collection of pictures, was preparing a report on the subject to the trustees, giving his own opinion, which of course would form a foundation for the further consideration of the question as to the pictures which were fit to be included in the national collection. The other ancient pictures recently purchased were likewise at present in the basement rooms of the National Gallery. With respect to the question of bringing the collection of these pictures into the national collection, of course that was contemplated by the Government, and they were anxious to effect it at the earliest moment. Whether there was accommodation for these pictures in the present building in Trafalgar Square, so that the public might enjoy the sight of them, was a matter which had not yet been determined, and must depend in some degree upon the number of the pictures which would be retained. As to giving notice to the Royal Academy to vacate the portion of the building occupied by them. the Government had no intention of giving any such notice, or requiring them to vacate those premises.