HC Deb 21 December 1932 vol 273 cc1075-7
49. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that valuable historic and aesthetic fittings were left in 4, Carlton Gardens to be disposed of by the housebreaker or the incoming tenant and had to be repurchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum; and what arrangements he has made in the future for the protection and preservation of such fittings?

Major ELLIOT

I am informed that two marble fireplaces which were formerly in No. 4, Carlton Gardens, were purchased after the demolition of the house and presented to the Victoria and Albert Museum out of a private fund. The Commissioners of Crown Lands have no record of the history of these fireplaces, which were presumably tenant's fixtures. In future the museum will be afforded an opportunity of inspecting and purchasing any similar fixtures in houses proposed for demolition.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that these fixtures were purchased by the Art Collections Fund at the request of the South Kensington Museum, as they were most anxious to obtain them, and has no action been taken in regard to this very careless piece of administration of private property?

Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUEL

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend whether these tenant's fixtures did not revert to the Crown as ground landlords; and is this not evidence, if not of stupidity, of a lack of aesthetic perception?

Mr. MOLSON

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture, as representing the Commissioners of Crown Lands, on what date they were informed of the views of the Royal Fine Art Commission on the proposed new building at 4, Carlton Gardens; on what date those views had been intimated to Sir Reginald Blomfield; and on what date the Commissioners of Crown Lands entered into a building agreement for the erection of the new building?

Major ELLIOT

The report of the Royal Fine Art Commission on the proposed new building on the site of 4, Carlton Gardens, was received by the Commissioners of Crown Lands through the architect on 29th July last. I am informed that the architect received this report on the preceding day. The building agreement was completed on 9th September.

Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

May I ask whether the information submitted by Lord Crawford to the archi- tect was passed on to the Commissioners of Crown Lands, that is, the information contained in his letter of the 28th of July?

Major ELLIOT

I have only information as to the terms of the report to the Commissioners, and in paragraph I it, simply says that the Royal Fine Arts Commission approves of the proposed building submitted by Messrs. Pinchin Johnson.

Sir W, DAVISON

A similar case occurred some years ago with regard Lo Crown Lands in Regent's Park, where, in consideration of a payment to the persons who had obtained a building lease, they agreed to give up the bargain. Will the Minister of Agriculture press forward his negotiations with Messrs. Pinchin Johnson, in order to see whether, if suitable compensation was given, they would release the Crown from the agreement?

Major ELLIOT

I am afraid that does not arise out of the question.

Captain CROOKSHANK

; Is the right hon. and gallant Member now aware that the whole thing is a great scandal?

NUMBER of HORSES shipped from Great Britain to Continental Europe during the years 1930 and 1931 showing countries of destination.
Year. Belgium. Denmark. France. Germany. Holland. Italy. Switzerland. Other Countries. Total.
1930 … 1,511 — 2,489 — 4,668 — — 395 9,063
1931 … 872 283 526 53 2,875 164 1,368 37* 6,178
NOTE.—The figures for 1930 refer to the countries of immediate landing while those for 1931 refer to the countries of ultimate destination so far as they could be ascertained.
* Comprising Sweden 22, Danzig 9, Norway 4, Gibraltar 2.
According to information obtained by the Ministry's port inspectors, the numbers shipped for the purpose of immediate slaughter were approximately:
In 1930 … 3,983 (3,875 to Holland and 108 to France).
In 1931 … 2,174 (all to Holland).

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