§ 14. Mr. A. Royleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Committee set up to investigate the theft of the portrait by Goya will report.
§ 24. Mr. Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Committee investigating the theft of the Goya portrait from the National Gallery has now reported; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI understand that the Committee has finished its inquiries, and that the Government may now expect to receive its Report this week.
§ Mr. RoyleIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is public concern about the administration of the National Gallery? Will he, therefore, publish this Report as a White Paper when he receives it?
§ Mr. LloydI am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that from the nature of the matters investigated it will be necessary to consider what is in the Report before deciding whether or not to publish it.
§ Mr. MitchisonCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us whether they have found the picture?
§ Mr. LiptonSecurity has apparently improved, and no further pictures have been stolen since the Goya disappeared, but can the Chancellor explain how it is that only the other day, in the House of Lords, a Government spokesman said that it would be a month or two before the Report would be published, or would reach the Government, whereas today the announcement is made that the Report is in the hands of the Government? There seems to be a lack of coordination somewhere, which probably reflects itself in the security arrangements generally.