§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation or otherwise dealing with the Chantrey Bequest Trust, in view of the dissatisfaction that has been felt at the manner in which that trust is administered, and of the fact that the walls of a building which is national property is being used to exhibit pictures, many of which the trustees of the trust in question have purchased from themselves?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAny legislation on the subject of the Chantrey Bequest would appear to be of a controversial character, and I doubt therefore whether it would be advisable to attempt it in view of the terms of the original bequest. With regard to the latter part of the question, I wish to point out that the House of Lords Committee in 1904 distinctly stated their belief that there is no ground for any imputation of corrupt or interested motives against the trustees of the bequest.
§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREI understand, then, that the Government are able to do nothing?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThey are not inclined to do anything.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESI should like to ask whether the Government could not give to the trustees of the Tate Gallery some power in regard to the selection of the pictures they hang there—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should give notice of that question.