HC Deb 18 May 1909 vol 5 c227
Mr. B. S. STRAUS

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, in view of the sale of the Holbein picture, Duchess of Milan, by the Duke of Norfolk, and of the offer of the Government to subscribe £10,000 for the repurchase of the picture in the interests of the nation, he will cause a search to be made in the calendars of the. Close Roll to see whether, in the inventory of the Arundel Acts, passed in the third year of the reign of Charles I., this picture was entailed as a heirloom, thus making it illegal for the Duke of Norfolk to dispose of any more than his life interest in it?

Mr. J. D. REES

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that, may I ask him whether some means other than those suggested cannot be devised for recompensing the Duke of Norfolk for having afforded the public for so many years the gratuitous enjoyment of his best picture?

The PRIME MINISTER

I understood the question was postponed. I ask my hon. Friend to postpone it till Monday.

Mr. B. S. STRAUS

I shall have much pleasure in doing so.