§ 23. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now reopen negotiations with the Government of Eire regarding the future of the pictures in the Lane bequest at the Tate Gallery.
§ Mr. H. BrookeNo, Sir. This is not a matter for the Government.
§ Mr. FletcherWould it be reasonable to suggest that these pictures should temporarily be on view in Ireland?
§ Mr. BrookeAs I said in the debate which we had on this matter eighteen months ago, that is a matter for the trustees: they have power to lend. So far as I am aware, no request has recently been rceived from Ireland.
§ Mr. CallaghanCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report is true that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is to be loaned to the Government of Ireland to organise the Irish sweepstake?
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be more in accord with British national justice to base the custody of these pictures on ethics rather than on petty legalism?
§ Mr. BrookeI am not sure whether I ought to enter into these nice distinctions drawn by a member of the profession; but as to the ownership of these pictures, that was settled by a vote of the House about eighteen months ago.