§ 20. Mr. Rankinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make sufficient provision in next year's Estimates to enable the keepers of the British Museum to exhibit on appropriate occasions valuable collections now locked up in the Print Room.
§ Mr. BarberIt is for the Trustees and not for my right hon. Friend to decide what exhibitions to mount within the funds available. Parts of the collection not on exhibition at any particular time are easily accessible to the public.
§ Mr. RankinIs the hon. Member not aware that there are certain collections which, either because of the terms of a bequest or for some other reasons, are not able to be exhibited in Great Britain? Is he aware that we have held international exhibitions of great paintings and pictures from all over the world, yet we ourselves are unable to show certain masterpieces by great artists because of the fact that they are locked away in the Print Room? Cannot he do anything to remedy that situation? There is a cultural value in these exhibitions.
§ Mr. BarberThe Museum authorities have told me that they would welcome suggestions from the hon. Member about any special part of the collection which he would like to see on exhibition. I would think that this is not a matter that one can go into in detail by way of Question and Answer, and if the hon. Member would get in touch with the Keeper of the Museum I am sure that he will be glad to discuss it with him.
§ Mr. RankinDo not pass the buck.