HL Deb 16 November 1954 vol 189 cc1488-9

[The references are to Bill 100 as first printed for the House of Commons.]

Clause 4, page 3, line 18, at end insert— ("(3) The number of paintings or other works of art which are at any time on loan under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not exceed—

  1. (a) in the case of the National Gallery, one-twentieth of the total number of works of art then vested in the Trustees of that Gallery, and
  2. (b) in the case of the Tate Gallery, one-tenth of the total number of works of art then vested in the Trustees of that Gallery,
but the Treasury may from time to time by order increase or reduce either of the fractions mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs. An order under this subsection shall be made by statutory instrument a draft of which has been laid before Parliament, and an order increasing either of the said fractions shall not be made unless the draft has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.")

2.39 p.m.

THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, in moving that this House doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment to the National Gallery and Tate Gallery Bill, may I add a word, as we had a considerable discussion on this subject last winter. I think it is fair to say that the other place generally agreed with the terms of the Bill which we passed at the time. However, they felt that in exercising the new powers the Trustees should have some guidance from Parliament. Accordingly, the Amendment which they have made has fixed a limit to the number of pictures which can be lent by the Galleries for display under Clause 4 (1) (b) of the Bill. Whether the powers are used or not remains in the unfettered discretion of the Trustees. The figures have been set at 5 per cent. for the National Gallery and 10 per cent. for the Tate Gallery, and, on the present numbers, this works out at ninety-four works of art for the National Gallery and 430 for the Tate Gallery. It should be noted perhaps that these figures do not cover pictures lent for exhibition, which fall under Clause 4 (1) (a).

The Amendment further provides that these percentages can be varied by statutory instrument. Such instrument has to be laid before Parliament. If the percentages are to be increased, the Affirmative Resolution procedure is necessary; if reduced, then the Negative Resolution procedure will suffice. In providing for the means to vary these percentages, we have particularly in mind the sort of development which is now taking place at Lancaster House, which I think your Lordships will agree is admirably suited to showing some of the best works of art in the National Gallery. A development of a similar nature may arise in the future, and we think it fitting that this opportunity should be taken to enable this procedure to be carried out. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.

Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(The Earl of Selkirk.)

LORD REA

My Lords, I think your Lordships will remember that at an early stage of the Bill an Amendment was put down in this House very much on the lines of that which now comes from another place. It so happened that that Amendment came from these Benches, from my noble friends, Lord Methuen and Lord Strabolgi. My noble friend Lord Strabolgi, who is sorry he is not able to be here to-day, asked me to express his great appreciation of the fact that the idea which these two noble Lords started has taken such a fruitful line in another place. This Amendment, it seems, is even better than the one proposed in this House, and from these Benches we welcome it sincerely.

On Question, Motion agreed to.