§ 17. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been drawn to paragraphs 8–12 of the Third Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art; and if he will substantially increase the purchase grants-in-aid to our national collections in the next financial year.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is, "Yes, Sir." In answer to the second part, I must ask him to await the publication of the Estimates for 1957–58.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, amongst the civilised countries in the world, this country is fast getting the reputation of being the meanest in its attitude towards the arts? In view of the vast volume of opinion which has asked for a substantial increase of purchase grants, will the right hon. Gentleman give sympathetic consideration to this problem?
§ Mr. BrookeTo rebut the allegation of the hon. Member that this country is mean towards the arts, I should like to inform the House that we have just accepted in lieu of death duty under the new powers given in the Finance Act, 1956, a great picture for the National Gallery, the "Pietà", of Van der Weyden, at a cost of £80,000 to the National Land Fund.