§ Mr. B. S. STRAUSasked 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?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The Act referred to in this question is a private Act, and operates as a family settlement of the property belonging to the then Earl of Arundel. It makes provision for fixtures and heirlooms only so far as they may happen to be included in a schedule or inventory which the parties might make and enrol in the High Court of Chancery, but the making of the schedule or inventory was not obligatory. No schedule is attached to the Act. It does not appear that the Crown has any legal interest in the property settled or is entitled to intervene, but a search will 828 be made for the inventory, and if it is found to exist full consideration will be given to the question whether any proceedings are open to the Crown or the matter is one solely for the parties concerned in the settlement made by the Act.
§ Mr. STRAUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that this picture was in Arundel at the time, and will he do his utmost to have the matter examined carefully?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have said so.