HC Deb 13 April 1972 vol 834 cc1409-11
5. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now make a statement on the Report of the Anderson Committee on training in the conservation of paintings, a copy of which is in her possession.

14. Mr. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she proposes to establish a centre for training in the restoration and conservation of paintings and drawings, as recommended in the joint report of the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation; and whether she will make a statement.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The report is being studied. My noble Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Allason

Has my hon. Friend noted that the facilities for training in conserving paintings are totally inadequate and that there is a clear need for a conservation institute? Has he also noted that the terms of reference of the Anderson Committee related only to paintings and drawings, whereas there is a need for conserving other museum exhibits—for example, textiles?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I noted the very clear evidence in the report concerning weaknesses in this matter, although whether it necessarily leads to the conclusion that an institute should be founded is plainly one of the matters at present under discussion. But I warmly accept what my hon. Friend says. While paintings are mostly the concern of the galleries, there are many other respects in which conservation is very important, such as metal work and textiles, which my hon. Friend mentioned.

Mr. Strauss

Although we cannot complain if the Government want time to consider this very important report, may we have an undertaking that they will give it very sympathetic consideration in view of the importance of its recommendations and that we shall have a decision within a few months—before the summer recess at the latest?

Mr. van Straubenzee

The report raises major considerations, and it is only reasonable that my noble Friend the Paymaster-General should want to study it very closely.

Mr. Cormack

May I express the hope that my hon. Friend's understandable caution will not become complacency? A year ago he informed me that there were only 10 fully qualified restorers in our national institutes and that 12 were in training. Has the situation improved?

Mr. van Straubenzee

The problem of restorers is serious, but the question which requires careful consideration is whether the solution suggested by the very able Anderson Committee is the right way to proceed.

Mr. Faulds

That is not good enough. In view of the crucial importance of the findings and recommendations of the Anderson Committee, will the right hon. Lady the Secretary of State—and I hope that the Under-Secretary of State will excuse me for addressing this question to her—undertake to implement them?

Mr. van Straubenzee

There are major ramifications in the report's recommendations, and it is not in the least unreasonable that a report published quite recently should be closely studied before decisions are made.