§ 1. Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that a gift of £1,000 has been promised by a certain person for the purpose of rendering St. John's Lodge, 1412 Regent's Park, suitable for the reception and display of a representative collection of Turner's works; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to enable this gift to be used, and so give the British public and foreign visitors easy access to the works of this British artist?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)While deeply appreciating the generous offer referred to in the question, I doubt very much whether the Trustees of the British Museum and the National Gallery, who are responsible for the custody of the works of Turner in the national possession, would be willing to entertain the proposition.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to bring this generous offer of Mr. Sigismund Goetze to the notice of the Trustees of the Gallery, and other organisations affected?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertainly, I will bring it to the attention of the Trustees of the Gallery, but I do not know whether the hon. and gallant Member is aware that the conversion of St. John's Lodge into a gallery suitable for the exhibition of water colours would entail a very large expenditure indeed, and would also be contrary to the present policy of the Trustees.