HC Deb 20 December 1965 vol 722 cc1667-8
25. Mr. Robert Cooke

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will make a statement on the progress which he has made with the projects concerning his Department in the White Paper, A Policy for the Arts, the First Steps, Command Paper No. 2601; and what plans he has for the second steps.

Mr. Boyden

With permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Cooke

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is a most disappointing reply, and an evasive one? Obviously, his Department has no intention of cooperating with the Minister for the Arts in this matter.

Mr. Boyden

In view of the pressure to get through Questions quickly, I think that the House would have thoroughly disapproved if I had given the longer Answer, which will be in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many historic buildings in his charge have been adapted as arts centres and what research has been done into building techniques for temporary structures for the arts? Surely the hon. Gentleman can tell us some of these things.

Mr. Boyden

It is these specific points which have been dealt with shortly. In any case, this Ministry will be first on the list next time for Questions, and the specific points can be tackled then.

Following is the statement: So far as museums are concerned, projects included in the twelve year programme are proceeding as planned, notably the reconstruction of the Western Sculpture Galleries and Central Hall at the British Museum and expansion of the Imperial War Museum. A contract has recently been let for reconstruction of the Mausoleum and Assyrian Galleries at the British Museum and another will be let next year for the Museum's photographic studios. Grants for Historic Buildings in Great Britain are expected to show some increase over the figure for last year. More pictures and pieces of sculpture have been purchased for diplomatic buildings overseas, official residences and Government offices. They include two notable sculptures by Mr. Henry Moore and Miss Barbara Hepworth. For the scheme for purchasing and distributing lithographs I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Barking on October 26th, 1965. Special sculptural, decorative and landscaping work in connection with the Ministry's building programme has been applied over some 90 projects in the last five years. Future action in the field of the arts includes the planning of the British Museum Library, extensions to the Tate and National Galleries, the reconstruction of the east and west wings at the Royal Scottish Museum, and the modernisation of the public restaurants at various museums as opportunity arises. As regards the preservation of historic buildings, the purchase of pictures and sculpture, and the artistic treatment of buildings, the present policy will be continued and developed as far as possible within the funds that can be made available for this purpose.