§ 21. Sir David Priceasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the arts if he will hold discussions with the directors and the trustees of the major national museums and galleries to seek to arrange more provincial tours of major items in their collections.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe national museums already give high priority to this subject. They will be in regular contact with my noble Friend.
§ Sir David PriceDoes my hon. Friend agree that it is right that the glories of our great national collections, which are largely in the metropolis, should be shared as widely as possible throughout the nation so that people do not have to journey to London to see them? If the great masterpieces of our national collections toured the country one at a time—the smaller towns, not just the great metropolitan cities — would not that be an enormous help to the population who wish to share in our national collections?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe House is aware of my hon. Friend's concern in these matters. He has had discussions and correspondence with my predecessor who, I hope, reassured him that a major programme of exhibitions is being undertaken and that the arts establishment regard that as an important part of its function.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursIs it not true that there are many items in museum collections that cannot be placed on provincial tours, such as the Elgin marbles? Does not the Minister recognise that millions of people in Britain believe that the marbles belong to Greece and that they should be sent back where they belong? Will the Minister do at least one thing during his period of office and ensure that they are returned to the people to whom they belong?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThere is ingenuity in the link with the word "provincial". The hon. Gentleman must be referring to the provinces of the Roman Empire. The Government's position has always been clear and there is no intention to change it.