§ 2.39 p.m.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what purchases have been made by the Trustees of the Tate Gallery from the Cleeve bequest, and whether they are in a position to give particulars of all the funds available to the Tate Gallery for the purchase of works of art, and 785 the balance left of these funds after adjustment of the alleged irregularities as recently announced and after payment for all works the purchase of which has been made public.]
§ THE PAYMASTER GENERAL (THE EARL OF SELKIRK)My Lords, the Tate Gallery is supported by funds which fall into three categories. In the first category is that part of the Vote which relates to the ordinary administration of the Gallery, including salaries, as in any other Government Department. In the second category there is a non surrenderable grant-in-aid for the purpose of purchasing works of art. Both these categories are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General, and his report is submitted to Parliament. The third category is private funds which are vested in the Trustees. These are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General; and his report is submitted to the Trustees. The administration of these funds is entirely at the discretion of the Trustees. These trust funds are not, therefore, a matter for which Her Majesty's Government are responsible, and, if I may add, I do not think they should be responsible for them in any way. I regret, therefore, that I cannot give the noble Lord the information for which he is asking, but I shall be glad to bring the noble Lord's Question to the attention of the Trustees.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I thank the noble Earl for the full explanation he has given in reply to my Question: it makes matters a great deal clearer. I should like, however, if your Lordships will allow me, to put one supplementary point. Would it be possible for the noble Earl to give some kind of assurance that the Tate Gallery does not contract to spend money in anticipation of the grant that may come from Her Majesty's Government?
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKI will only say in regard to that, that Her Majesty's Government have full confidence in the Trustees of the Tate Gallery—and, if I may add, more confidence in them than in some who are engaged in criticising that administration at the present time.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, if the Auditor-General audits these funds, may 786 I ask how there can be any question of any mistakes being made; because he must see the Trust clauses which govern the use of private funds?
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I do not think the mistakes can be as serious as the noble Lord suggests, bat Her Majesty's Government do not see the report which the Auditor-General makes on those particular funds.