HC Deb 23 May 1963 vol 678 cc609-11
4. Mr. Boyden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last three years grants for the National Art Collections and Museums have had to be drawn on the Civil Contingencies Fund owing to inadequate annual purchase allocations being available to these Galleries and Museums.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Civil Contingencies. Fund was used 10 times in the three years ended 31st March, 1963, for special grants or advances for the purchase of particular works of art which unexpectedly became available. This has of course nothing to do with the adequacy or otherwise of the regular purchase grants.

Mr. Boyden

Is not it in fact becoming a habit? Why should the Treasury equate the purchase of pictures for our national collections with hurricanes, floods and other disasters? Would not it be better if there were an adequate fund so that the collections did not have to depend on an emergency fund in this way?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman can have understood my Answer. There is a regular purchase grant to deal with the ordinary level of purchases. This fund covers the purchase of particular works of art. The works of art covered by these 10 grants represent an example of very striking pictures coming on to the market unexpectedly. It is sometime possible to help by the use of the Civil Contingencies Fund and to seize the opportunity, afforded by such works of art coming on to the market, to buy them.

Mr. Grimond

Is the Chief Secretary aware that a celebrated Scottish collection of pictures, the Cargill Collection, is coming on to the market? I do not expect an answer today, but will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a special grant for Scottish galleries to acquire some of the pictures?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If an application is made, it will, of course, be considered; but I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will agree that that does not arise out of this Question.

Mr. Ridley

Can my right hon. Friend detail the very large increase which has taken place in the annual purchase grants in the last three years? Is he aware that many hon. Members on this side of the House are grateful and appreciative of the generous way in which he has handled the special grants in difficult circumstances?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. If he would care to put down a Question I will certainly circulate the details for which he asks.

5. Mr. Boyden

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Estimate for 1963–64 for Grants for the Arts, Vote VIII, 16, S, contains only £10,000 for assistance to local museums in schemes of mutual co-operation when his Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries recommended a sum of £100,000 per year.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams) on 19th March.

Mr. Boyden

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this scheme has been going for about six years and one of the reasons why it lags is inadequate central support? How much longer will it go on dragging before he gets the scheme thoroughly organised over the whole of the country?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The hon. Gentleman related his question to the interesting Report of the Standing Commission. As he will see if he studies the Answer to which I have referred him, that was received only at the end of last year and published in March. It is under consideration in connection, no doubt, with next year's Estimates.