HC Deb 24 February 1920 vol 125 cc1497-9
84. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the pictures bought by the Committee of the Imperial War Museum for permanent exhibition as records of the War; is he aware that considerable feeling has evinced itself on the part of the public as well as in art circles against the expenditure of public money on what are regarded by many authorities as freak pictures; will he say whether these pictures are regarded by the Government as the best record that could be obtained in the War of moving incidents; and will he say what amount has been expended by the Imperial War Museum Committee and the late Ministry of Information in securing this collection?

Sir A. MOND

I am well acquainted with the pictures acquired by the Committee, and consider that the nation is under a great obligation to them for the able manner in which they have carried out their work. Differences of opinion will always arise as to the relative merits of works of art, but I must point out that the pictures to which exception has been taken were acquired by the late Ministry of Information for propaganda purposes, and were transferred to the Museum when that Ministry came to an end. The total collection numbers about 3000 pictures (of which 700 have been presented to the Museum), and forms an unique and invaluable pictorial record of the War, The expenditure by the Committee and the late Ministry of Information amounts approximately to £22,100 and £9,030 respectively.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that £9,000 was spent on these freak pictures, and does he think that these freak pictures give a proper record of the War to future generations?

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Is he aware that a vast number of people regard a great many of these pictures as atrocious libels on our troops, and will he give the name of the gentleman who was deputed to select the artists?

Sir A. MOND

I have already told the hon. Baronet that the pictures to which he refers were acquired by the Ministry of Information, and therefore I am in no way responsible either for their ordering or their acquisition. I have inherited them. The question of their future is one for consideration by the Trustees of the Imperial War Museum when they are constituted. I should like to say that a great difference of opinion exists on the merits of these pictures, and I have observed myself with some astonishment that most of the art critics consider them very fine works of art.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Has he any objection to my placing photographs of these pictures in the tea room.

Sir A. MOND

I think it would be very much better for Members to go to the Academy and look at the pictures.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is it a fact that some of these pictures are portraits of Cabinet

6% Exchequer Bonds matured on 16th February, 1920, to a total of— The option to convert into 5¾% Exchequer Bonds has been exercised in respect of approximately—
Bank of England* … £121,592,000 … … … … … £59,974,000
Post Office … £8,317,000 … … … … … £4,450,000
Total … £129,909,000 … … … … … £64,424,000
3% Exchequer Bonds mature on 24th March, 1920, to a total of— The conversion option has been exercised in respect of a total of approximately—
£21,540,000 … … … … … £13,174,000
(No Post Office issue)
5% Exchequer Bonds mature on 1st December, 1920, to a total of— The conversion option has been exercised in respect of a total of approximately—
£46,776,000
viz.:—
Bank of England* … £37,376,000 … … … … … £17,818,000
Post Office … £9,400,000 … … … … … £3,580,000
Total … £46,776,000 … … … … … £21,398,000
* Including Bank of Ireland.

The totals in respect of the three issues maturing in 1920 are thus:—

I would invite the attention of the House and of the public to the fact that the list for cash subscriptions remains open to the end of this week.