HC Deb 15 February 1938 vol 331 cc1704-5
52. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the director of the National Gallery is not prepared to maintain that the so-called Giorgione panels recently purchased can be ascribed with certainty to that artist, he will state what experts were consulted by the Treasury before a grant of public money for the purchase of the panels was approved?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply on l0th February to my hon. Friend the Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) from which he will see that Treasury sanction is not required for expenditure from the grant-in-aid made to the National Gallery.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

In view of the very large expenditure of public money involved, are the public not entitled to know what experts were consulted, and what their advice was?

Lieut.-Colonel Colville

The practice is for Parliament to vote annually a grant-in-aid which is placed at the disposal of the trustees and used, entirely in their discretion, for the purchase of works of art. They decided to make this purchase and I do not question their wisdom.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

But are not the trustees expected to exercise ordinary precautions, and can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman quote the name of a single expert who is prepared to say that these paintings are by Giorgione?