HC Deb 24 December 1929 vol 233 cc2104-5
53. Dr. DAVIES

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury upon how many occasions the trustees of the British Museum have put into operation their power to lend possessions of the British Museum in accordance with the terms of the British Museum Act, 1924; and will he arrange for the provisions of that Act to be brought to the notice of suitable public authorities throughout the country?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Since August, 1924, the trustees have on 14 occasions exercised the power of lending conferred upon them by the British Museum Act, 1924. In that year a circular letter calling attention to the trustees' loan collection was sent to public authorities maintaining suitable art galleries. In view of the references to local loans in the recent Report of the Royal Commission on Museums and Galleries, a further communication will now be sent to public authorities.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Might I ask the Prime Minister, who is one of the trustees of the British Museum, whether he is satisfied with the fact that the Museum has made such loans on only 14 occasions?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid that I must have notice of that question.