§ 47. Captain CAZALETasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Nelson's furniture, now on loan to the "Victory," is about to be sold; and whether the Government will he prepared to make a reasonable contribution for the purchase of these articles in order to secure them as a national possession?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am aware of the facts in connection with this furniture, but although I have every sympathy with the patriotic purpose underlying the hon. and gallant Member's question, and regret that there should be any possibility of this furniture leaving its appropriate place, I do not think His Majesty's Government would be justified in devoting public money to this purpose.
§ Captain CAZALETIf at any future time there is a danger of this furniture going out of the country altogether, will the Government reconsider their decision?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs a good many hon. Members in all parts of the House know, we are very much interested in this question of the export of national treasures, but the difficulty is to draft legislation which would not be more unjust than it would be expedient, and 890 I would be only too glad if I could get any practical advice from any hon. Members of this House as to how to stop this sort of thing.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs not this furniture of the nature of a national monument?