HC Deb 29 May 1962 vol 660 c1146
25. Mr. A. Royle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Her Majesty's Government will finish considering the Report received by his Department in February 1962, on the theft of the Goya portrait;when he intends to publish the greater part of this Report;and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The Government have considered this Report, and intend to publish it, with some necessary omissions for security reasons, very shortly.

Mr. Royle

Why has it taken so long to publish this Report? Has the theft of pictures this week speeded things up? Can my right hon. and learned Friend tell me whether the report in a Sunday newspaper that the National Gallery applied to the Treasury, prior to the theft, for a grant of £100,000 to improve security arrangements is correct?

Mr. Speaker

The last part of the hon. Member's supplementary question is out of order. The rest is all right.

Mr. Lloyd

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is, "No, Sir".

Mr. Lipton

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman now say where the picture is?

Mr. Lloyd

No. Perhaps the hon. Member can help me.